I swear, Rob. For as long as we both have been fans the Hawks have always sucked in January. Or maybe it just seems that way. I am too lazy to look up the actual numbers.
- Elbows15

2015: 6-7-0=12=.461
2014: 5-3-6=16=.571 full season % .652
2013: lockout
2012: 5-5-3=13=.500 full season % .616
2011: 6-4-1=13=.590 full season % .591
2010: 10-4-1=21=.700 full season % .683
2009: 7-6-1=15=.536 full season % .634

So - only one January of the six showed a better record than the full season (the 2010 Cup season) and one was the same; in the other 4 (including, presumably, this year) the January showing was worse.

Saad still makes "polite" (mis)passes to vets on the team when he himself is in a better scoring position than them.
- 67hawks

Yes that's a polite way to put it my way is a little more colorful the puck !!!!..Last night was one of those games hot goalie maybe a bit tired as a team and our backup messed up and the boy's could not bail him out ..

If you look at the sub-headers, you can see that I indicated trades, and signings excluding extensions (meaning players that he DIDN'T draft/bring in as GM). You can also see that I gave credit for the Hammer re-signing, saying that was his best move to date. But, hey, what's reading anyways right? It's completely overrated.
- TommyHawk

Because players that were previously brought in are just magically kept on the team, right? Zero credit should go to the GM who restructures cap-friendly deals for important players? A GM should be judged based on minor free agent signings and trades? Got it.

I feel like I just hopped out the time machine and it is 2011.. Please continue to tell us more about crust-cutting and "Dale's team".... Throw in some stories about the front office being in turmoil too!

Because players that were previously brought in are just magically kept on the team, right? Zero credit should go to the GM who restructures cap-friendly deals for important players? A GM should be judged based on minor free agent signings and trades? Got it.

I feel like I just hopped out the time machine and it is 2011.. Please continue to tell us more about crust-cutting and "Dale's team".... Throw in some stories about the front office being in turmoil too!


- CBHawks88

2015: 6-7-0=12=.461
2014: 5-3-6=16=.571 full season % .652
2013: lockout
2012: 5-5-3=13=.500 full season % .616
2011: 6-4-1=13=.590 full season % .591
2010: 10-4-1=21=.700 full season % .683
2009: 7-6-1=15=.536 full season % .634

So - only one January of the six showed a better record than the full season (the 2010 Cup season) and one was the same; in the other 4 (including, presumably, this year) the January showing was worse.
- StLBravesFan

Sage to the rescue... resident stats guy....where did you dig this up?

It would help if Saad could finish some of the chances he gets because he gets more than his share.
- RickJ

Hossa is also missing/stoned on numerous chances this year. Some glorious chances at that...he could have another 7-8 goals.

Sage to the rescue... resident stats guy....where did you dig this up?
- bogiedoc

Calculated from the Team / Blackhawks / Schedule place on ESPN.com.

Anyone see the hit by Backes?

Anyone see the hit by Backes?
- CBHawks88

Today ?

Today ?
- mrpaulish

Yes sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUqbiT71t0

Yes sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUqbiT71t0
- CBHawks88

Brutal. Hell get a game for sure.

Brutal. Hell get a game for sure.
- mrpaulish

I wouldn't count on that for sure if I were you. It is Backes we're talking about.

More Backes doosh-baggery. And regarding the trade rumor... Does anyone really expect Stan to do anything other then a very minor depth move? He has shown zero ability to be agressive in any way in filling needs. I dont count Richards because he fell into Stan's lap on the cheap.

With Sharp becoming the assist machine lately.. Why not roll him into a C spot and trade for a banger to help bolster the forecheck... Sharp has size/skill... I know this is 100x beaten over dead horse.. but its such a logical choice to fill that C issue. We all know that somehow we will see LA again in the playoffs. Hawks will need a healthy Steeger and TVR. The loss of TVR has been obvious and we will need that extra D help.

More Backes doosh-baggery. And regarding the trade rumor... Does anyone really expect Stan to do anything other then a very minor depth move? He has shown zero ability to be agressive in any way in filling needs. I dont count Richards because he fell into Stan's lap on the cheap.

With Sharp becoming the assist machine lately.. Why not roll him into a C spot and trade for a banger to help bolster the forecheck... Sharp has size/skill... I know this is 100x beaten over dead horse.. but its such a logical choice to fill that C issue. We all know that somehow we will see LA again in the playoffs. Hawks will need a healthy Steeger and TVR. The loss of TVR has been obvious and we will need that extra D help.
- z1990z

I expect if Bowman thinks there is a hole in the lineup if he can address it inside the salary cap. Not sure what you mean by not having the ability to make a move as he hasn't really needed to yet.

I expect if Bowman thinks there is a hole in the lineup if he can address it inside the salary cap. Not sure what you mean by not having the ability to make a move as he hasn't really needed to yet.
- paulr

Guess he comes across as not having the stones to pull a big trade. Tallon for all the good/bad he did, was not afraid to go big trade wise. This latest trade rumor regarding the Sabres player tells me brass feels they need to get bigger. First Kassian and now this guy. I agree. Last year was three rounds of huge teams and the Hawks looked worn down against LA. Stan is stuck in this Euro skill smurf mind set. Thats fine if you have balance on your lines. I would prefer a crasher or two to help when teams stack the blue line and force the Hawks to dump it in. SJ did that to perfection last night and Hawks didnt look real enthused to dump/chase.

Maybe its just the January blahhh and we see the Hawks dial it up come March and April. But the west is a night mare of BIG/SKILLED teams.

I expect if Bowman thinks there is a hole in the lineup if he can address it inside the salary cap. Not sure what you mean by not having the ability to make a move as he hasn't really needed to yet.
- paulr

Plus you wait until the last possible moment, unless you have a huge target that you can acquire, until you see your health as a unit during the last week of February. YOu do not want to have exhausted resources. I was like the Leddy trade. Most suspected he was gone, but you wait until the last minute, in case one of your studs blows an ACL or is going to miss 6 months.

Yes sir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neUqbiT71t0
- CBHawks88

What a coward he is
They probably gave him the suspension to protect him from retribution

Good thing for the hawks is with Baches as the leader of the Blues they will go nowhere come playoffs

Paul is going to think somebody else stole my log in and posted, but this is the deal. As fans go bi polar both ways with the ebbs and flows of each game. And that is not a criticism, it is what fans do. The bottom line is the hawks are built to play the game a certain way, just like every other team. The Hawks have proven over time that their talent and style may be handcuffed a game or 2, but it is very difficult for any team, personell wise to match up and beat them 4 out of 7.

So while they look like world beaters one night in Anaheim and flat the next, there really is nothing to read into it, other than not letting bad habits set in for long.
With Rundblad or without, with Leddy or without, they still have the horses that makes them a favorite, all other things being equal...like injuries.

I caution everyone anticipating the return of TVR at any point as some sort of huge shot in the arm. The guy played what 20 games in NHL? Lets stay measured.

Calculated from the Team / Blackhawks / Schedule place on ESPN.com.
- StLBravesFan

And footnotes and bibliography...

Paul is going to think somebody else stole my log in and posted, but this is the deal. As fans go bi polar both ways with the ebbs and flows of each game. And that is not a criticism, it is what fans do. The bottom line is the hawks are built to play the game a certain way, just like every other team. The Hawks have proven over time that their talent and style may be handcuffed a game or 2, but it is very difficult for any team, personell wise to match up and beat them 4 out of 7.

So while they look like world beaters one night in Anaheim and flat the next, there really is nothing to read into it, other than not letting bad habits set in for long.
With Rundblad or without, with Leddy or without, they still have the horses that makes them a favorite, all other things being equal...like injuries.

I caution everyone anticipating the return of TVR at any point as some sort of huge shot in the arm. The guy played what 20 games in NHL? Lets stay measured.
- TrueGrit

TG, are you feeling OK?

TG, are you feeling OK?
- paulr

He's feeling sorry for us in Chicago with snow up to our asses while he's in Florida. Better here than in Boston, but it's a good thing it's sunday and not a work day for most.

Paul is going to think somebody else stole my log in and posted, but this is the deal. As fans go bi polar both ways with the ebbs and flows of each game. And that is not a criticism, it is what fans do. The bottom line is the hawks are built to play the game a certain way, just like every other team. The Hawks have proven over time that their talent and style may be handcuffed a game or 2, but it is very difficult for any team, personell wise to match up and beat them 4 out of 7.

So while they look like world beaters one night in Anaheim and flat the next, there really is nothing to read into it, other than not letting bad habits set in for long.
With Rundblad or without, with Leddy or without, they still have the horses that makes them a favorite, all other things being equal...like injuries.

I caution everyone anticipating the return of TVR at any point as some sort of huge shot in the arm. The guy played what 20 games in NHL? Lets stay measured.
- TrueGrit[/quote]


That was measured. Kid is calm/cool and solidified the bottom pairing. Didnt say he was Chelios... that he is solid and we will need that come playoff time.

good news...all divisional teams who played today won: preds, blues, wild

while the hawks have skating in place with a 5-5 record the blues are 9-0-1 and they have had a very favorable schedule...

well at some point they will start stringing together some losses but the hwks need to get things on a roll...NOW!

good news...all divisional teams who played today won: preds, blues, wild

while the hawks have skating in place with a 5-5 record the blues are 9-0-1 and they have had a very favorable schedule...

well at some point they will start stringing together some losses but the hwks need to get things on a roll...NOW!
- bogiedoc

Finishing 1,2 or 3 in the Central really doesn't matter much, your 1st round opponent is a very tough matchup regardless. Get the playoff lineup in place by March 1 and be playing well going in. Just don't want to be in overdrive to make the playoffs, that's all.

And I'd rather play the Blues than the Jets or Preds anyway. I love teams with a history of being losers.

Guess he comes across as not having the stones to pull a big trade. Tallon for all the good/bad he did, was not afraid to go big trade wise. This latest trade rumor regarding the Sabres player tells me brass feels they need to get bigger. First Kassian and now this guy. I agree. Last year was three rounds of huge teams and the Hawks looked worn down against LA. Stan is stuck in this Euro skill smurf mind set. Thats fine if you have balance on your lines. I would prefer a crasher or two to help when teams stack the blue line and force the Hawks to dump it in. SJ did that to perfection last night and Hawks didnt look real enthused to dump/chase.

Maybe its just the January blahhh and we see the Hawks dial it up come March and April. But the west is a night mare of BIG/SKILLED teams.
- z1990z

What kind of "big trade" do you feel needs to be made? Tallon made two big trades for the Hawks when he obtained Ladd and Sharp but the Hawks didn't have a contending lineup when he did.