it would still be better than #5
- mrpaulish

Apparently the children just got home from junior high school.

I wish I had time to get into this great topic.

For starters, I could not disagree more with the idea that Q brought Leddy along. Like a lot of Q decisions, they are done by his choice, not be what we actually see on the ice. After all we heard about the great attributes of Michael Handzus vis a vie Brandon Pirri, yet Pirri was a plus player when he played and Zus a negative.

No one suggest the players that get dealt are hall of famers, the case I and others make is that they are more than serviceable. When in a jam, and Q HAD to skate Morin a regular shift, he played fine.

Q is the coach and has his preference. The idea that Handzuis was given so much of the roll he was last year, is an example of his preference. There is an opportunity cost to those decisions.

Have to run...Great topic.

Most people who get demoted from something will have their ego bruised, I won't argue that. I just got the vibe from your assertion that Keith had shown a need somewhere along the line to be coddled. He doesn't come across that way (in the admittedly very minimal amount we the average fan know about a player's true personality) but who knows. Keith's last Norris was basically won because of secondary assists and I am sure you're right that a good amount of them cam eon the PP. His decision making at the point leaves a lot to be desired, I would love to see someone else there. I was just curious if I'd missed something specific in his time here that would lead you to believe he was a primadonna because he sort of seems like the opposite of that.
- PhatJoeSki

You mean like having Foley and Eddie tell everyone on TV that Keith's problems stemmed from a problem with getting his custom fit Bauer skates on time? One would think a guy with Keith's bona fides could skate with a piece of sharpened metal taped to his bare feet.

It's a fair comment/question and I appreciate the non-pejorative tone.

The truth is . . . rivalries, disagreements, personality conflicts in dressing rooms and front offices are as old as time itself.

No question, the internet and the blogosphere have built a whole realm of speculation around it that wasn't there even 10 years ago.

Hockeybuzz, like so many other sites, is in business to provide insight and backstory. Is it right, is it wrong, is it better, is it worse? I don't know.

It is . . . what it is.

I do know that lots (millions actually in terms of page views) of people come here, to HB and to this blog, for the rumors.

I will tell you one very positive side effect of all this is that a lot of fans get smarter about hockey, what goes on on the ice, through participating here. i have no doubt about that. And I personally think the bulk of Hawk fans are a helluva lot smarter today, because of blogs and message boards and interaction with longtime fans and some people who actually work in the game (including some here), than they were even 5-6 years ago.

What frustrates me frankly is the "shoot the messenger" syndrome that goes with it. Some people come here, and if they don't like what my point of view or what I pass along that I'm hearing, I'm a bad guy. Or I'm challenged to reveal my sources.

Because of course, my sources will continue to give me information if I jeopardize their jobs by revealing them.

And I don't make it up. I would say about 10-20% of the trade rumors I report on actually happen (in some form). But the ones that don't generally don't because the number of conversations that GMs have far outnumber the number of actual trades. But some do. I have a higher batting average on injuries and free agent moves.

I have gotten some bad info. A few summers ago I was assured Mike Havliand would be offered the Jets' coaching job imminently. I blogged it. Didn't happen, went to Noel. I did a mea culpa and took my lumps.

But I've also been right a fair amount, and right a lot more than some bloggers who like to take shots—who have never broken a single story themselves. So I will just leave that at what it is.

But I can't, and be honest, take issue with the whole realm of backstory/rumors around sports. Because I would be a giant hypocrite. I do see what you're saying. it does exist, and it is a by-product of the internet.

So I hope that answers some of your question.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question, JJ. I agree with you the internet, and sites like this, help to educate people on the game of hockey. I was just wondering what your thoughts were, as someone who walks the line of being both an insider and a fan.

Thanks again!

>
>There was some rodeo-hockey last night with Toews getting thrown around and cross-checked to ice -- and from the Arizona "Bettman's" in a regular season game no less -- hmmm -- wonder what's waiting in playoffs?
>
- SnapitUpstairs

And who was the senior official at last night's game?

Anyone else wonder what Kane said to get that misconduct. Couldn't help but speculate it was Kane comparing last night with Wes McCauley and his crew's performance last playoffs. Probably never know but it certainly entered my mind.

I'm sure Wessy boy knows how badly his bias shows. He and O'Halloran are the best this league has to offer? The new crop look even worse.

PP unit is a sore subject. The only reason Keith remains on the 1st unit has to be Q's need to stroke Keith's probably fragile ego.

The PP in overtime yesterday I said the Hawks should go with #19/#88/#81 & #7. Would have been much better. Seabrook has a better shot and much better offensive instincts.

Seabrook should replace Keith on the 1st unit, and if your gonna keep Runblad, then leverage his offensive skills and put him on Unit #2 or instead of Richards or Sharp as a point man.
- TheTrob

Yes. If Rundblad is going to eat minutes it should be on the PP. Regardless of corsi he is clearly not capable in his own zone. Maybe he will settle in over time.

Rundblad, Rosi, and Oduya have been so bad under pressure most teams are bringing it that much more one all of the pairings.

The guy who so far has really let this team down the most this year is Oduya IMO. His performance, in a contract year, is not improving at all. In retrospect, it looks as if keeping Leddy over Oduya (regardless of Sheehy) may have been the better move.

Apparently the children just got home from junior high school.
- KingB

Yes. If Rundblad is going to eat minutes it should be on the PP. Regardless of corsi he is clearly not capable in his own zone. Maybe he will settle in over time.

Rundblad, Rosi, and Oduya have been so bad under pressure most teams are bringing it that much more one all of the pairings.

The guy who so far has really let this team down the most this year is Oduya IMO. His performance, in a contract year, is not improving at all. In retrospect, it looks as if keeping Leddy over Oduya (regardless of Sheehy) may have been the better move.
- tredbrta

Leddy struggled with his defensive responsibilities as a third pair dman

He certainly wasnt ready to be promoted as a no.4

You think Leddy is flourishing in NY right now? Wait until NYI get to the playoffs and other teams REALLY start bringing the heat on the forecheck again

Q trusted him a lot in season, but he clearly saw something he didnt like in Leddys play once the playoffs arrived

Leddy struggled with his defensive responsibilities as a third pair dman

He certainly wasnt ready to be promoted as a no.4

You think Leddy is flourishing in NY right now? Wait until NYI get to the playoffs and other teams REALLY start bringing the heat on the forecheck again

Q trusted him a lot in season, but he clearly saw something he didnt like in Leddys play once the playoffs arrived
- FourFeathers773

How much have you seen him this season?
Going to tell you you're very wrong.
Have watched about 3/4 of the Isles games when not at same time as Hawks.
You can't, btw, make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Rundblad has THE worst skating mechanics of the entire squad. That's not changing and didn't improve from last year. Merely a stop-gap along the way to TVR returning and hopefully a 3rd pairing vet to give Rozsival some rest.

Speaking of roster \ rumors \ what not

The Hogs randomly added a roster player. Perhaps eludes to some movement especially considering that with Versteeg coming back one would expect one or both of Nordstrom and\or TT to go down...
- fattybeef

This is probably because Bass got himself suspended for a few games. Or, I could be completely wrong (wouldn't be the first time), and this means something is happening on the trade front!

Yes. If Rundblad is going to eat minutes it should be on the PP. Regardless of corsi he is clearly not capable in his own zone. Maybe he will settle in over time.

Rundblad, Rosi, and Oduya have been so bad under pressure most teams are bringing it that much more one all of the pairings.

The guy who so far has really let this team down the most this year is Oduya IMO. His performance, in a contract year, is not improving at all. In retrospect, it looks as if keeping Leddy over Oduya (regardless of Sheehy) may have been the better move.
- tredbrta

Oduya broke his foot at the end of the playoffs last year. How much of his salary would the Hawks have had to eat if they moved him, assuming anybody wanted to take him on, and what assets could they have gotten in return? Argue that Leddy would have been better to keep given all this, sure, but what other choice did the Hawks have, given that nobody wanted Rozsival's contract?

How much have you seen him this season?
Going to tell you you're very wrong.
Have watched about 3/4 of the Isles games when not at same time as Hawks.
You can't, btw, make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Rundblad has THE worst skating mechanics of the entire squad. That's not changing and didn't improve from last year. Merely a stop-gap along the way to TVR returning and hopefully a 3rd pairing vet to give Rozsival some rest.
- savvyone-1

Ive probably watched at least 15 games of his

Ill tell you he is playing the exact same game there as he did here

This is probably because Bass got himself suspended for a few games. Or, I could be completely wrong (wouldn't be the first time), and this means something is happening on the trade front!
- MNHawk

You dont gain a contract space when a player is suspended

You dont gain a contract space when a player is suspended
- FourFeathers773

Then this falls under "I could be completely wrong".

I wish I had time to get into this great topic.

For starters, I could not disagree more with the idea that Q brought Leddy along. Like a lot of Q decisions, they are done by his choice, not be what we actually see on the ice. After all we heard about the great attributes of Michael Handzus vis a vie Brandon Pirri, yet Pirri was a plus player when he played and Zus a negative.

No one suggest the players that get dealt are hall of famers, the case I and others make is that they are more than serviceable. When in a jam, and Q HAD to skate Morin a regular shift, he played fine.

Q is the coach and has his preference. The idea that Handzuis was given so much of the roll he was last year, is an example of his preference. There is an opportunity cost to those decisions.

Have to run...Great topic.
- TrueGrit

Still talking about Zus when he hasn't been on the team in a year and is somewhere in Slovokia. Sigh...

Ive probably watched at least 15 games of his

Ill tell you he is playing the exact same game there as he did here
- FourFeathers773

Not intending to get into a big argument here -- but -- things I've seen:

>No more forays into the o-zone ahead of his wings where he takes a shot that comes out and creates an odd-man break for the other team.

>More poise along the walls -- calmer with the puck and haven't seen any pucks go up the middle get picked off as we've seen lately with Johnny O.

>Haven't seen him get "blown up" along the boards as we've seen with some of our own.

>Getting PP and PK time -- PK time in particular something he never got here in last 2 years.

Well, we'll see what happens to NYI in the playoffs. I see them as a "dark horse favorite" coming out of the east. That whole team can skate with anyone. Will be fun to keep an eye on the East this year while the West battles. Last year didn't really care because no one was really all that good. This year, you've got a few teams I think are capable.

FFS why are we still talking about that Neanderthal looking mofo Leddy? Who the (frank) cares honestly?

Still talking about Zus when he hasn't been on the team in a year and is somewhere in Slovokia. Sigh...
- biegs

Don't get me started! I'm still upset Phil Esposito wasn't given a chance by Billy Reay and was traded for Pit Martin.

Not intending to get into a big argument here -- but -- things I've seen:

>No more forays into the o-zone ahead of his wings where he takes a shot that comes out and creates an odd-man break for the other team.

>More poise along the walls -- calmer with the puck and haven't seen any pucks go up the middle get picked off as we've seen lately with Johnny O.

>Haven't seen him get "blown up" along the boards as we've seen with some of our own.

>Getting PP and PK time -- PK time in particular something he never got here in last 2 years.

Well, we'll see what happens to NYI in the playoffs. I see them as a "dark horse favorite" coming out of the east. That whole team can skate with anyone. Will be fun to keep an eye on the East this year while the West battles. Last year didn't really care because no one was really all that good. This year, you've got a few teams I think are capable.
- savvyone-1

Things I've seen:

> the Isles have the worst penalty killing percentage in the entire league and Leddy isn't good enough defensively to be a penalty killer

>. The Isles are in the bottom third of the league defensively and Leddy is part of that terrible stat.

> Leddy still has no clue what his responsibility is in his own zone. Yes he is better then he was two years ago, but barely.

Leddy's plus minus is a direct result of a high scoring team who can't play defense. The perfect team for a player like Leddy.

As for the Isles being a dark horse, if anyone who likes to think they know what makes a team a playoff contender, they'll know a team who can't play defense seldom wins when it matters.

Things I've seen:

As for the Isles being a dark horse, if anyone who likes to think they know what makes a team a playoff contender, they'll know a team who can't play defense seldom wins when it matters.
- paulr

That's why I said they're a dark horse.
Whether they can take their play into the playoffs and succeed is yet to be seen. If I said they're a favorite, then we'd have something to argue about.

That's why I said they're a dark horse.
Whether they can take their play into the playoffs and succeed is yet to be seen. If I said they're a favorite, then we'd have something to argue about.

- savvyone-1

Using that logic, I'll pick Edmonton as a dark horse.

Using that logic, I'll pick Edmonton as a dark horse.
- paulr

Umm, no.

Illogical logic.
Or maybe circular. IDK.

Umm, no.

Illogical logic.
Or maybe circular. IDK.
- savvyone-1

Curious, you didn't address the points that weren't subjective. If Leddy is even remotely good defensively why isn't he in a more prominent defensive role on a terrible defensive team, ie: he doesn't kill penalties, he isn't used in a shutdown role and he isn't on the ice in the final minutes of a game where the Isles are trying to hold a lead?

Curious, you didn't address the points that weren't subjective. If Leddy is even remotely good defensively why isn't he in a more prominent defensive role on a terrible defensive team, ie: he doesn't kill penalties, he isn't used in a shutdown role and he isn't on the ice in the final minutes of a game where the Isles are trying to hold a lead?
- paulr

He does kill penalties, of course since they are last in PK, a lot of times their opponent has scored before he ever hits the ice.

I don't think you can say any of them are in a shutdown role -- the games I've watched he's been on the ice at the end of games. And Cappy has seemingly rotated his guys much more so than Q, which may be why they have a poor defensive record. Game to game he get top 4 minutes -- some games most TOI and others barely #4 with #5 and #6 right behind. Rarely see that with Q, right?

He does kill penalties, of course since they are last in PK, a lot of times their opponent has scored before he ever hits the ice.

I don't think you can say any of them are in a shutdown role -- the games I've watched he's been on the ice at the end of games. And Cappy has seemingly rotated his guys much more so than Q, which may be why they have a poor defensive record. Game to game he get top 4 minutes -- some games most TOI and others barely #4 with #5 and #6 right behind. Rarely see that with Q, right?
- savvyone-1

Leddy doesn't kill penalties, he is not used in a shutdown role and he is not used in a defensive role at the end of a game to hold a lead. If you watch the Islanders play as you say, you know that.

As for how "Cappy" manages his team vs how Quenneville manages his team .... Do you really want to go there? I mean my first comment will be a guaranteed Hall of Fame coach, third in all time wins with two cups and "Cappy"?????????