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

This. I think?

This. I think?
- Ogilthorpe2

Your connect the dots art is Hockey Buzz Norman Rockwell!

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

I have been a fan a lot longer than since 2009.

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.
- paulr

Those trades are only big in hindsight. Sharp was a 4th line guy on a team loaded with centers. Ladd was a 3rd line guy who was traded for Ruutu. Both players never lived up to expectations before they were moved.

This just in...

Blues fans don't think Backes deserves a suspension.

Dolts.

This just in...

Blues fans don't think Backes deserves a suspension.

Dolts.
- Ogilthorpe2

Of course not. He is an upstanding guy who plays hard. Alzner ought to know better than to be facing the glass inviting Backes to cross-check him and drive his face into the glass. Hockey play.

This just in...

Blues fans don't think Backes deserves a suspension.

Dolts.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's because they all like it from the back.

That's because they all like it from the back.
- powerenforcer

Oh.

Brutal. Hell get a game for sure.
- mrpaulish

Wakey. Wakey, Backes!

This just in...

Blues fans don't think Backes deserves a suspension.

Dolts.
- Ogilthorpe2

Neither does super blues fan banana eater Andy Strickland..... Backes has to get at least 1 game for that hit right ?

Neither does super blues fan banana eater Andy Strickland..... Backes has to get at least 1 game for that hit right ?
- mrpaulish

Backes not only didn't hold up when the numbers were staring him in the face he also drove Alzner up and into the boards. Backes should get 3.

Those trades are only big in hindsight. Sharp was a 4th line guy on a team loaded with centers. Ladd was a 3rd line guy who was traded for Ruutu. Both players never lived up to expectations before they were moved.
- Elbows15

I'm giving him a couple, but you're right Tallon never put them on the line when making a trade either. The closest he came to that was signing Hossa instead of re-signing Havlat.

I'm giving him a couple, but you're right Tallon never put them on the line when making a trade either. The closest he came to that was signing Hossa instead of re-signing Havlat.
- paulr

You guys keep giving Tallon credit for the Hossa signing . Tallon was the GM for about 10 days after te Hossa signing. Thw Bowmans brought Hossa here. Tallon wanted Marty Mr Glass Havlat . Hence Tallon was fired shortly after. Tallon was good, of course he was , The Hawks won 2 cups recently and his fingerprints are on the team. But he cn not get credit for Hossa

I'm giving him a couple, but you're right Tallon never put them on the line when making a trade either. The closest he came to that was signing Hossa instead of re-signing Havlat.
- paulr

You guys forget Mark Bell (essentially) for Martin Havlat, arguably Tallon's biggest trade, and a huge piece in rebuilding the franchise. Next blog coming out tonight or tomorrow will have more on this.

You guys forget Mark Bell (essentially) for Martin Havlat, arguably Tallon's biggest trade, and a huge piece in rebuilding the franchise. Next blog coming out tonight or tomorrow will have more on this.
- John Jaeckel

The point I was addressing was some poster are arguing Bowman can't or won't "sack up" and make a groundbreaking trade like Tallon. Fact is Tallon wasn't putting his neck on the line with any of his trades. Havlat for Bell was a no brainer and was basically a no lose trade for Tallon. Getting Ladd, Sharp and Versteeg were "safe" trades and had he lost the them he wasn't giving much away. Bowman isn't in a position to be proving he has the balls to swing a blockbuster, all he needs to do is tweak the lineup.

I'd argue the best move made by either GM was when Bowman came on as GM he didn't do as most GM's do and "put his stamp on the team" by making a trade for the sake of making a trade, instead he realized what he had, put his ego in check and made a minor trade late in the season trading away Barker.

This just in...

Blues fans don't think Backes deserves a suspension.

Dolts.
- Ogilthorpe2

You still don't think Seabrook's hit was bad either.

Dolts.

You still don't think Seabrook's hit was bad either.

Dolts.
- carcus

Seabrook's hit was bad and was worthy of a suspension just as Backes' hit is. Backes should get 2 or 3 games.

You still don't think Seabrook's hit was bad either.

Dolts.
- carcus

The past is for losers
Your captain should be suspended and his style of play will be the reason for a quick exit come playoffs

You guys keep giving Tallon credit for the Hossa signing . Tallon was the GM for about 10 days after te Hossa signing. Thw Bowmans brought Hossa here. Tallon wanted Marty Mr Glass Havlat . Hence Tallon was fired shortly after. Tallon was good, of course he was , The Hawks won 2 cups recently and his fingerprints are on the team. But he cn not get credit for Hossa
- mrpaulish

I'm in no way building a case for Tallon, he was the GM when Hossa was signed is all my point is. Tallon did some good things when he was here but he didn't put his neck on the line making trades as some woukld have you believe. All his trades were of the safer variety that turned out very well and are now classified as steals for the Hawks.

Seabrook's hit was bad and was worthy of a suspension just as Backes' hit is. Backes should get 2 or 3 games.
- paulr

Backes hit was bad, he should have let up and not hit him. But it wasn't nearly as bad as Seabrook's.

Backes hit him from behind and his face going into the boards caused a cut above his eye. Likely from his visor. With the boarding, head contact, and blood a 5 & a game was the right call. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get suspended. I wouldn't be surprised if he did either. One of those calls that who knows what the NHL will do. I am leaning towards 1 game, 2 max because the player was fine.

The past is for losers
Your captain should be suspended and his style of play will be the reason for a quick exit come playoffs
- molly2522

Ok, I am only worried about the present. Blues ahead of Chicago.

Backes hit was bad, he should have let up and not hit him. But it wasn't nearly as bad as Seabrook's.

Backes hit him from behind and his face going into the boards caused a cut above his eye. Likely from his visor. With the boarding, head contact, and blood a 5 & a game was the right call. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get suspended. I wouldn't be surprised if he did either. One of those calls that who knows what the NHL will do. I am leaning towards 1 game, 2 max because the player was fine.
- carcus

They were both equally as bad, though the injuries weren't. Backes saw the numbers and didn't only not back off the hit he drove forward and up into Alzner. Seabrook's hit was direct to the head but from in front. Seabrook hit Backes from in front and hit him high with the head being the direct point of contact. Having been hit both ways I'd take the one from in front any day. An unsuspecting hard hit from behind into immovable boards can cause a far worse injury.

They were both equally as bad, though the injuries weren't. Backes saw the numbers and didn't only not back off the hit he drove forward and up into Alzner. Seabrook's hit was direct to the head but from in front. Seabrook hit Backes from in front and hit him high with the head being the direct point of contact. Having been hit both ways I'd take the one from in front any day. An unsuspecting hard hit from behind into immovable boards can cause a far worse injury.
- paulr

Ok, I would rather just not be hit. Played goal.

Backes hit was bad, he should have let up and not hit him. But it wasn't nearly as bad as Seabrook's.

Backes hit him from behind and his face going into the boards caused a cut above his eye. Likely from his visor. With the boarding, head contact, and blood a 5 & a game was the right call. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get suspended. I wouldn't be surprised if he did either. One of those calls that who knows what the NHL will do. I am leaning towards 1 game, 2 max because the player was fine.
- carcus

You said it yourself, that's what has been said here for years. Just sayin.

They were both equally as bad, though the injuries weren't. Backes saw the numbers and didn't only not back off the hit he drove forward and up into Alzner. Seabrook's hit was direct to the head but from in front. Seabrook hit Backes from in front and hit him high with the head being the direct point of contact. Having been hit both ways I'd take the one from in front any day. An unsuspecting hard hit from behind into immovable boards can cause a far worse injury.
- paulr

To be fair, only the seamless glass boards are the immovable ones. The other ones give quite a bit.