Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New years.

The sky is not falling but.............

1. Crawford: I think it's pretty obvious what is going on here if you take a step back and connect the dots. Injures himself being an idiot, organization is pissed, leaves him to fend his own to the media, and then watches Darling and Raanta perform well AND remembers all the high priced goalies before him who sat to the hot hand. So he rushes back, not at 100% and the numbers and the eye test tell me he's not right. Slow to move, fighting the puck, just looks VERY uncomfortable. Worst thing that happened, was him making the all star team. He needs to be honest and sit and get right for the spring.

2. Hawks look a bit disinterested vs some of these bottom teams, who are trying to salvage seasons OR improve their trade stock. last night was a perfect example, and could also show the correlation to their very slow starts as of late. They need to refocus and come out ready instead of sleep walking through the 1st, 10 minutes of games.

3. Oduya looks bad. In fact, he's back to being the pizza man and no way in gods green earth is he coming back here baring a major discount. I never thought I would feel a lot better about Rundblad then Oduya, but that's where I am right now.

4. Teuvo.....not writing him off ,but it's time to go back to Rockford. The game is too fast, and too physical for him. Saw him get tossed around last night on 3 separate occasions. Very weak on his skates, and staying far too much to the outside. I also would prefer to see McNeil get called up who is a larger body and could be an asset come playoff time to score garbage goals, the way the 4 million dollar man Bickell does.

Think it's just a matter of a bunch of fine tuning for this team to get right and get back rolling along.....

And how about Versteeg!!!!!!!!! And to think people on this board and so called radio show experts wanted to jettisoned him for next to nothing ignoring the obvious fact he rushed back from a major knee injury. Now healthy, he's back to being a HUGE asset at a very discounted salary.
- SteveRain

Agreed on most points.

1) I'm also not sure why after poor starts in his last few games that Q goes right back to him. Let him sit one out, last night would have been the perfect opportunity.

2) Yup. Dog days of Jan-Feb probably mixed with a little bit of relaxation after getting cameras out of their faces after being tailed everywhere for a few weeks.

3) Oduya has not been good lately, but while Runblad has been better lately he still is not quite there for me yet. Still out of position too often, awkward skater and average at best in making decisions and passing. I do like his instincts on the Blueline and his ability to get shots to the net, but just not there on the defensinve end yet. He is passable at this point for a 6-7 d-man.

4) I said the exact same thing about TT earlier and in the last blog. Really getting thrown around, and would more so if he ventured inside the dots ever. He seemed to just be adjusting to the game at Rockford, let him continue down there. Give some of the guys who have been down there a few seasons a chance (McNeil)

I also think CC rushed back from injury to lessen the anger internally due to his injury away from the rink, and that has a LOT to do with his play of late.

I would start Raanta Thursday, and go from there. CC needs some fine tuning on the technical part of his game. His angles are off, and he's losing his net a lot more frequent, and guys are exploiting that glove hand again.
- SteveRain

>Regarding Oduya -- maybe the minutes are piling up? Would like to see 3rd pair minutes get higher -- whoever the third pair is
>Rozy made some awful breakout passes last night -- most of them of the long cross-ice variety that were easily picked off
>More balanced minutes from the D would pay long-term dividends in the Spring

Well said. I think u might be right about Crawford and possibly be rushed back or feeling pressured by the play of the backups, but his sub par play has also directly coincided with the teams sub par play on D. I agree a lot of it has to do with playing through this weak stretch in the schedule, and facing a lot of teams that they might not be "getting up for".

Oduya was bad early in the year but i think he was slowly playing his way out of that funk, looked a lot better up until the past few games(especially last night he looked horrible on that 2nd goal). I think he'll be fine when the games matter most.

Not sure TT needs to go back to rockford quite yet. He looked better last night than he did against the Stars, and while he is obviously physically mismatched, i think he can still gain more valuable experience and improve his game until Versteeg comes back, or possibly until we call someone else up.

Agreed on Versteeg. Cant wait for him to return, and im thinking because the injury wasn't lower body it shouldn't really cause him to have a setback in his game. He's been fantastic and will add another dimension of firepower we didnt have during last years playoffs.

It is just a matter of fine tuning, and i believe we will make all the proper corrections starting the 21st when we go on a 7 game road trip against many of the leagues elite teams. Thats when we'll play our best.
- SimpleJack

Can't believe I would ever be missing Versteeg, never been a big fan of his, but he has provided just what has been needed this season and he has eliminated a lot of the "dumb" in his game. How soon he returns will really depend on which metacarpal he broke. The surgery he just had was probably to put pins in. Those stay 3 or 4 weeks and then are removed and its rehab. Its amazing how fast the hand atrophies when not used. Time will tell with him.

Yeah? Well I think this "freakishly soft team with no sandpaper that only scores on tick tack toe plays" is gonna get one of the top 2 seeds and then go on to win the Stanley Cup.
- SimpleJack

I think kwolft hit on something here. The Hawks are scarey talented, no doubt. But often "as is evident on the power play" insted of working down low for those gritty goals they look for the highlight reel/pretty play which lets face it most teams defend against fairly well. The Hawks cycling ability is always there, if they add tape to tape passes they can get the goalie moving. Increasing the chances of scoring. Without the screens and tips in front goalies have no problem tracking the puck/along with moving and like last night the hot ones make the save.

TT is a puck mover on a full of them (this year). Probably better suited to have a guy who gets a few bruises in front and can seperate the opposition from the puck.

Well said. I think u might be right about Crawford and possibly be rushed back or feeling pressured by the play of the backups, but his sub par play has also directly coincided with the teams sub par play on D. I agree a lot of it has to do with playing through this weak stretch in the schedule, and facing a lot of teams that they might not be "getting up for".

Oduya was bad early in the year but i think he was slowly playing his way out of that funk, looked a lot better up until the past few games(especially last night he looked horrible on that 2nd goal). I think he'll be fine when the games matter most.

Not sure TT needs to go back to rockford quite yet. He looked better last night than he did against the Stars, and while he is obviously physically mismatched, i think he can still gain more valuable experience and improve his game until Versteeg comes back, or possibly until we call someone else up.

And yeah about that Steeger, he's been the most pleasant surprise of the season IMO. Cant wait for him to return, and im thinking because the injury wasn't lower body it shouldn't really cause him to have a setback in his game. He's been fantastic and will add another dimension of firepower we didnt have during last years playoffs.

It is just a matter of fine tuning, and i believe we will make all the proper corrections starting the 21st when we go on a 7 game road trip against many of the leagues elite teams. Thats when we'll play our best.
- SimpleJack

They'll be fine....again...just focusing on not falling into bad trends and staying healthy.

I would like to see them add another large body. I am also a little concerned about the bottom pair come playoff time. TVR was rock solid but we all know the playoff speed ramps up and Rozsival looked bad last year during the playoffs.....so I'm already nervous about his play this upcoming playoff season .

Agreed on most points.

1) I'm also not sure why after poor starts in his last few games that Q goes right back to him. Let him sit one out, last night would have been the perfect opportunity.

2) Yup. Dog days of Jan-Feb probably mixed with a little bit of relaxation after getting cameras out of their faces after being tailed everywhere for a few weeks.

3) Oduya has not been good lately, but while Runblad has been better lately he still is not quite there for me yet. Still out of position too often, awkward skater and average at best in making decisions and passing. I do like his instincts on the Blueline and his ability to get shots to the net, but just not there on the defensinve end yet. He is passable at this point for a 6-7 d-man.

4) I said the exact same thing about TT earlier and in the last blog. Really getting thrown around, and would more so if he ventured inside the dots ever. He seemed to just be adjusting to the game at Rockford, let him continue down there. Give some of the guys who have been down there a few seasons a chance (McNeil)
- TheTrob

yeah, I'm not a TT hater per se, but not a fan when I read about him saying he can only play center. I shudder to think what the larger western conference guys would do to hm.

I believe he needs more seasoning and to continue to bulk up. Very weak and easily tossed around. Unlike Kane, who avoided those hits in 2007-08, Teuvo is getting hammered and exploited and it's transferred into him playing a very perimeter game.

>Regarding Oduya -- maybe the minutes are piling up? Would like to see 3rd pair minutes get higher -- whoever the third pair is
>Rozy made some awful breakout passes last night -- most of them of the long cross-ice variety that were easily picked off
>More balanced minutes from the D would pay long-term dividends in the Spring
- SnapitUpstairs

Agreed. They need a veteran Brookbank type of D man who can solidfy that bottom pair. Rozsival....the game passed him by last year, when he was benched a few games vs STL and Minny. Can't imagine him a year older and this spring. TVR coming back will help, IF he's healthy and continue to be not fazed by the forecheck.

My dream...and cap constraints will kill it a cheap veteran bottom pair D man who can bang with some of the bigger boys, and a 4th line winger who can bang, AND not be a liability the way Bolig was at times in the playoffs.

How they get both, is up to Bowman, but those are the 2 weak links I see, and they could probably get around both, but I would feel a lot better if they didn't.

I think kwolft hit on something here. The Hawks are scarey talented, no doubt. But often "as is evident on the power play" insted of working down low for those gritty goals they look for the highlight reel/pretty play which lets face it most teams defend against fairly well. The Hawks cycling ability is always there, if they add tape to tape passes they can get the goalie moving. Increasing the chances of scoring. Without the screens and tips in front goalies have no problem tracking the puck/along with moving and like last night the hot ones make the save.

TT is a puck mover on a full of them (this year). Probably better suited to have a guy who gets a few bruises in front and can seperate the opposition from the puck.
- Cup-Bearer

Well that's supposed to be Bickell who last night almost scored the exact same way he did last postseason posting up guys on the PP. He has to get into that groove again, because when he plays to the perimeter flicking wrist shots, he's worthless.

I really want to see McNeil over Teuvo and the sooner the better. I think it's pretty clear that as of today Teuvo isn't ready for the NHL game.

I think kwolft hit on something here. The Hawks are scarey talented, no doubt. But often "as is evident on the power play" insted of working down low for those gritty goals they look for the highlight reel/pretty play which lets face it most teams defend against fairly well. The Hawks cycling ability is always there, if they add tape to tape passes they can get the goalie moving. Increasing the chances of scoring. Without the screens and tips in front goalies have no problem tracking the puck/along with moving and like last night the hot ones make the save.

TT is a puck mover on a full of them (this year). Probably better suited to have a guy who gets a few bruises in front and can seperate the opposition from the puck.
- Cup-Bearer

Thats all understood. Clearly yes, u want to get traffic, set up screens, u want to go hard to the net, u want to get dirty goals. The thing is this: when we have an off game(like last night, or like either of our home games against the Jets), its just silly to hear people worry about those things, and completely ignore/forget about the countless games this year where we have done those things, where we have gotten dirty goals(Bickells game tying goal just the other night against Nashville). It was just an off night, and yeah even though we had 54 shots a lot of them were of poor quality. That doesn't mean its a trend, or an ongoing issue with our team this year. That doesn't mean now its gonna be like last year post-January where we went on a long funk. Our team this year has proved PLENTY of times that they aren't just some small, soft team that only scores on fancy passing plays.

yeah, I'm not a TT hater per se, but not a fan when I read about him saying he can only play center. I shudder to think what the larger western conference guys would do to hm.

I believe he needs more seasoning and to continue to bulk up. Very weak and easily tossed around. Unlike Kane, who avoided those hits in 2007-08, Teuvo is getting hammered and exploited and it's transferred into him playing a very perimeter game.
- SteveRain

He needs to learn how to use leverage and balance better. Kane has always been much stronger on his skates. Watching the World Jr's the past 2 weeks you really see a bunch of guys getting blown up on a regular basis because they put themselves in poor positions (open, off balance, standing straight, etc.). TT at C against a regular diet of Getzlaf, Kopitar, Carter, Backes, Thornton, Seguin smells of disaster.

Thats all understood. Clearly yes, u want to get traffic, set up screens, u want to go hard to the net, u want to get dirty goals. The thing is this: when we have an off game(like last night, or like either of our home games against the Jets), its just silly to hear people worry about those things, and completely ignore/forget about the countless games this year where we have done those things, where we have gotten dirty goals(Bickells game tying goal just the other night against Dallas). It was just an off night, and yeah even though we had 54 shots a lot of them were of poor quality. That doesn't mean its a trend, or an ongoing issue with our team this year. That doesn't mean now its gonna be like last year post-January where we went on a long funk. Our team this year has proved PLENTY of times that they aren't just some small, soft team that only scores on fancy passing plays.
- SimpleJack

Well said agree, SJ

They'll be fine....again...just focusing on not falling into bad trends and staying healthy.

I would like to see them add another large body. I am also a little concerned about the bottom pair come playoff time. TVR was rock solid but we all know the playoff speed ramps up and Rozsival looked bad last year during the playoffs.....so I'm already nervous about his play this upcoming playoff season .
- SteveRain

Im not sure what to expect of Rozsival come playoff time either. Which is why its very important that TVR is apparently ahead of schedule in his rehab and that Rundblad is showing signs of being an every day 5th-6th defenseman. Gotta have faith that some combo of any of those 3 will be ready for a Cup run.

Agreed. They need a veteran Brookbank type of D man who can solidfy that bottom pair. Rozsival....the game passed him by last year, when he was benched a few games vs STL and Minny. Can't imagine him a year older and this spring. TVR coming back will help, IF he's healthy and continue to be not fazed by the forecheck.

My dream...and cap constraints will kill it a cheap veteran bottom pair D man who can bang with some of the bigger boys, and a 4th line winger who can bang, AND not be a liability the way Bolig was at times in the playoffs.

How they get both, is up to Bowman, but those are the 2 weak links I see, and they could probably get around both, but I would feel a lot better if they didn't.
- SteveRain

>Like your shopping list

>Like your shopping list
- SnapitUpstairs

Just gotta figure out where to shop for it.......

Hawks needed to get taken to the shed.

A few slowly creeping trends developed in the last few weeks

1. They give up too many shots on goal. Over 30 per game lately.
2. Coming from behind created false self-confidence. They get lazy.
3. Too little intensity at the start of games leads to playing from behind.

Other miscellaneous

1. TT still very much a boy among men. Next year...
2. Dont poop on C2 - he is the man
3. Cant win them all, and you learn from losing. They will figure it out.

Still way too much to pleased with so far this season for the occasional loss to cause bridge jumping. Unless they dont fix the trending issues over the long term. But I think they will.

>Like your shopping list
- SnapitUpstairs

Thanks....no clue where you get those pieces but they would be ideal.

Hawks needed to get taken to the shed.

A few slowly creeping trends developed in the last few weeks

1. They give up too many shots on goal. Over 30 per game lately.
2. Coming from behind created false self-confidence. They get lazy.
3. Too little intensity at the start of games leads to playing from behind.

Other miscellaneous

1. TT still very much a boy among men. Next year...
2. Dont poop on C2 - he is the man
3. Cant win them all, and you learn from losing. They will figure it out.

Still way too much to pleased with so far this season for the occasional loss to cause bridge jumping. Unless they dont fix the trending issues over the long term. But I think they will.
- Return of the Roar

God damn that was well said.

Thanks....no clue where you get those pieces but they would be ideal.
- SteveRain

Maybe now that his book has been published and the air cleared they can bring back Chelios. He might sign for league minimum.

Maybe now that his book has been published and the air cleared they can bring back Chelios. He might sign for league minimum.
- savvyone-1

He probably wouldnt be much slower or worse than Rosival

He probably wouldnt be much slower or worse than Rosival
- TheTrob

Any team in the league wouldn't mind Rozy on their bottom pair. He's been fine.

Let's give TT another 2 games. He looked a lot better last night. He is lightning fast passing the puck. I think TT might fool you all and score his first goal tomorrow night. He has a faster release of his shot than anybody else on the team. Yes, he took a couple of big hits which is not good. However, he took the puck away on the boards three times from some big Avalanche players ( better than Kane did in his first three years). Bottom line: needs to show more the next 2 games or back to the IceHog shed.

Any team in the league wouldn't mind Rozy on their bottom pair. He's been fine.
- biegs

This year's whipping boy.

This year's whipping boy.
- Elbows15

I thought that was Rundblad. He's been decent, getting better, IMO.

I thought that was Rundblad. He's been decent, getting better, IMO.
- MartiniMan

He is looking more comfortable out there every game. Improved in his own zone quite a bit from the start of the season, IMO. Q must think so too. He is playing him later in games the last little bit.

Well that's supposed to be Bickell who last night almost scored the exact same way he did last postseason posting up guys on the PP. He has to get into that groove again, because when he plays to the perimeter flicking wrist shots, he's worthless.

I really want to see McNeil over Teuvo and the sooner the better. I think it's pretty clear that as of today Teuvo isn't ready for the NHL game.
- SteveRain

His last two goals - Dallas and Nashville - have been (IIRC) a deflection and a rebound at the net - where he has to be if he's going to effective.