James Tanner says Toews isn't clutch, just lucky. he's got a lot of hockey experience to back it up too
- clark_griswold

"Toews = Courturier"

I can't wait for the 1st.......

"Saad will get a MONSTER offer sheet......." E3.

I will then staple my eyes shut..........

TVR making the trip according to Q

id say the bolts match up better to the west than any of the other east teams. and we had i think the best record against the west of any of the eastern teams? both teams play a similar style and our top four of hedman stralman garrison and coburn arent exactly a pushover and are all well over 6'. we have the biggest d in the league. just going to have to use their size in this series. but i think our 3rd line of callahan boyle brown is going to be the difference maker. i think the top two lines are a wash. maybe slight edge to the bolts but not much. but i would give goaltending to bolts.

offense wash
defense chicago
goaltending tampa

thats why i think it goes at least 6 or 7. i think the series is split 2-2 going into game 5. whoever wins game 5 wins the series.

id say the bolts match up better to the west than any of the other east teams. and we had i think the best record against the west of any of the eastern teams? both teams play a similar style and our top four of hedman stralman garrison and coburn arent exactly a pushover and are all well over 6'. we have the biggest d in the league. just going to have to use their size in this series. but i think our 3rd line of callahan boyle brown is going to be the difference maker. i think the top two lines are a wash. maybe slight edge to the bolts but not much. but i would give goaltending to bolts.

offense wash
defense chicago
goaltending tampa

thats why i think it goes at least 6 or 7. i think the series is split 2-2 going into game 5. whoever wins game 5 wins the series.
- boltsfan48

really hard to call it a wash given how much Tampa relies on the power play and scoring from their top 6.

Top heavy offense favors Chicago, especially since Chicago gets offense from 4 lines and most of the time from 5 on 5

Goalie, yes, defense no. Chicago's top 4>> New York's, and Chicago's top 4 will play 90% of the minutes.


Keith
Seabrook
Hjalmarsson
Oduya

2 Norris Trophies, 2 Stanley Cups a piece (except Oduya's 1), 3 Olympic Gold medals, 2 Olympic Silver medals

McDonagh
Girardi
Klein
Staal

(crickets)

Oh and you want to compare the forwards, offensively and defensively?

Keep it comin'. I gotta lotta mo'.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, you've made some great points today, which no one carrying the TBL flag can, or has even tried, to refute.

You can analyze this series however you want, but for me, it comes down to this: when push comes to shove, no one in the last 3 years except the Kings has been able to handle what this team can bring (and it took overtime in Game 7 to pull that off).

If the Hawks' backs are to the wall, as they were in the last series, the Lightning are going have to deal with a level of complete with which they have yet to see. Just ask the Ducks.

I like our chances. I'm saying Hawks in 6, as I did with Anaheim, but it could be less than that.

id say the bolts match up better to the west than any of the other east teams. and we had i think the best record against the west of any of the eastern teams? both teams play a similar style and our top four of hedman stralman garrison and coburn arent exactly a pushover and are all well over 6'. we have the biggest d in the league. just going to have to use their size in this series. but i think our 3rd line of callahan boyle brown is going to be the difference maker. i think the top two lines are a wash. maybe slight edge to the bolts but not much. but i would give goaltending to bolts.

offense wash
defense chicago
goaltending tampa

thats why i think it goes at least 6 or 7. i think the series is split 2-2 going into game 5. whoever wins game 5 wins the series.
- boltsfan48

There went all your credibility.

What is it that makes you give "slight edge" to your hometown Bolts when comparing the Top 6's. The Stanley Cups, The Conn Smythes, Olympic Gold and Silver Medals, the Selke Trophies for one top 6 . . . or Stamkos?

Paul, Paul, Paul . . . the "museum relic" title only refers to a few "key" guys: Rozsival and Kimmo. I don't recall Keith ever being called a museum relic, most were referring to him as a member of some alien race but it was unclear to this poster whether Duncan had genetic heritage to the Greys, the Nordics or the Lizards.

Oh, and hi to Biegs. I know you were worried about me at the end of John's last blog. I've been around but have been exceptionally busy with work, family and my sideline (music) gigs. Just for your (and anyone else's) info, I was asked by my teammate who would win G7 and then afterwards, asked about the Tampa series, which like John I'm saying Hawks in 6.

Hat's off to Q for maybe his finest job of coaching in G7 (G6 not bad either), still take him to task for the indigestion he caused with G3 lineup change.

Hopefully that brings y'all up-to-speed.
- savvyone-1

Come on savvy it extends beyond Roszival and KT, at various times Richards and Oduya have been mocked as museum relics and derogatory comments have been thrown out there about veterans in general, though it wasn't you who posted them. All but KT have proven their worth and any time a GM is hitting 75% of players traded for as being productive he has done a great job. I have posted before in the last 10 years all cup winners have been older than the league average. Experience for the most part wins, that not to say it will this season or it always will but all NHL coaches value veteran leadership and experience.

really hard to call it a wash given how much Tampa relies on the power play and scoring from their top 6.

Top heavy offense favors Chicago, especially since Chicago gets offense from 4 lines and most of the time from 5 on 5
- FourFeathers773

We'll see how well the Triplets operate with Keith and Hjalmarsson stapled to them. They'll probably get some points, but this is a much tougher test than they've seen.

I really like Saad but how good will he be without playing alongside of two future HOF in toews and hossa. Its a gamble to think his game translates as well playing alongside lesser talent
- molly2522

Well, if you're tendering the offer sheet to hurt the Hawks by forcing them to match, then the only gamble is that the Hawks will retaliate by tendering your RFA's. The Hawks are leveraged to the beak for the better part of a decade, so not much risk there.

And if the Hawks let Saad walk, then you just got yourself a 22 y/o good size, elite skating, highly skilled stud who has been gulping winning mojo right from the Cup, and is already Tanner-proof clutch (more gwg this season than Kane, 1 less than Toews). $5-6 mill is the going rate for talented 3rd/4th option scorers. So I predict multiple offer sheets being mailed to Chicago (and St Louis) zipcodes this summer.

If I were Ken Holland, sitting on plenty of cap space and compensatory draft picks, I would already have a $5.5 offer filled out, to pay back signing Hossa away if nothing else. Pencil Saad in on Datsyuk's wing, and wave him right in Babcock's face.

We'll see how well the Triplets operate with Keith and Hjalmarsson stapled to them.
- John Jaeckel

In addition, Marcus Kruger seemed to really annoy a number of the Ducks. I expect him to do the same to Tyler Johnson.

Not playing in the top six surely gives Sharp the benefit of the doubt in terms of scoring production, I thought he has been excellent in the role of a third line player, playing a more defensive role.

The Conn Smyth trophy is Keith's to lose at this point. No one has had a greater impact in these playoffs. Not bad for a museum relic.
- paulr

The Vegas odds makers are giving it to Toews for some reason...

In any case, the Hawks haven't played a team like the bolts yet. They can skate, score, decent goalchie, and have some grit. I think J.J.is mistaken with the Hawks in six.

I say it goes seven and is a toss up.

My gut says 'Hawks in 5, but my brain says 'Hawks in 6. Depth down the middle and production from all 4 lines will mean Q has matchup options.

Come on savvy it extends beyond Roszival and KT, at various times Richards and Oduya have been mocked as museum relics and derogatory comments have been thrown out there about veterans in general, though it wasn't you who posted them. All but KT have proven their worth and any time a GM is hitting 75% of players traded for as being productive he has done a great job. I have posted before in the last 10 years all cup winners have been older than the league average. Experience for the most part wins, that not to say it will this season or it always will but all NHL coaches value veteran leadership and experience.
- paulr

Paul, that is true and you are right, I have not piled on some of the others you've mentioned but I do recall them being put into the "museum" category. I think Stan's biggest/best hits this year really are Vermette and IMO #11 (Dejardins). Actually, if you ask me, #11 was REALLY under the radar. I mean, I knew him as a player on the Ducks but plugged into Q's system here, he has fit like a glove.

As someone mentioned, evidenced by his extensive TOI in G7, shows Q's trust and the fact that he was doing a great job out there. Probably none of us ever expected that kind of ROI for him. Sleeper deal for us at the deadline.

>>>Here’s how. Ben Bishop stands on his head for likely 7 games, and Corey Crawford melts down.<<<

that's the the way i see it to....a mike smith 2012 performance and they get it to 7...

but this could be over in 5....

bolts have a match up nightmare facing them and they will have to be focused defensively or the hawks will scream up the ice with odd mans and if those don't work the o-zone cycles will kill this tampa squad......

its not about lack of respect for stamkos and company but they have not any where come close to facing a team like the hawks and it matters not one bit the regular season history between these clubs...
- bogiedoc

This is what worries me most about Tampa. The Hawk defense loves to pinch in. With a very fast and talented offense, the Hawks better be VERY careful not to give up odd man rushes. And if Timonen finds himself on the ice at all, he should not be allowed any deeper than the blue line. I'd hate to see a game blown over odd man chances bad hooking penalties. I'm sure Tampa is looking at that as an area to exploit.

The Vegas odds makers are giving it to Toews for some reason...

In any case, the Hawks haven't played a team like the bolts yet. They can skate, score, decent goalchie, and have some grit. I think J.J.is mistaken with the Hawks in six.

I say it goes seven and is a toss up.
- kaptaan

Tampa is a fast, well coached team who can also defend. The Hawks advantage is experience and a deeper main core of players. Tampa's advantage is they are a more explosive offensive team. I'll also take the Hawks in 6, just in the hope they win it at home finally.

Well, if you're tendering the offer sheet to hurt the Hawks by forcing them to match, then the only gamble is that the Hawks will retaliate by tendering your RFA's. The Hawks are leveraged to the beak for the better part of a decade, so not much risk there.

And if the Hawks let Saad walk, then you just got yourself a 22 y/o good size, elite skating, highly skilled stud who has been gulping winning mojo right from the Cup, and is already Tanner-proof clutch (more gwg this season than Kane, 1 less than Toews). $5-6 mill is the going rate for talented 3rd/4th option scorers. So I predict multiple offer sheets being mailed to Chicago (and St Louis) zipcodes this summer.

If I were Ken Holland, sitting on plenty of cap space and compensatory draft picks, I would already have a $5.5 offer filled out, to pay back signing Hossa away if nothing else. Pencil Saad in on Datsyuk's wing, and wave him right in Babcock's face.
- meta_puck_luck

And if Holland and Ilitch throw in a condo how could Saad turn down the opportunity to live on 7 Mile Road or Jefferson Avenue?

Paul, that is true and you are right, I have not piled on some of the others you've mentioned but I do recall them being put into the "museum" category. I think Stan's biggest/best hits this year really are Vermette and IMO #11 (Dejardins). Actually, if you ask me, #11 was REALLY under the radar. I mean, I knew him as a player on the Ducks but plugged into Q's system here, he has fit like a glove.

As someone mentioned, evidenced by his extensive TOI in G7, shows Q's trust and the fact that he was doing a great job out there. Probably none of us ever expected that kind of ROI for him. Sleeper deal for us at the deadline.
- savvyone-1

I too think Desjardins has played really well in the role he has played. Vermette has been very solid and that line may be a deciding factor in this series. The 2 role players who have really played well have been Kruger and Shaw. Both have done more than Hawk fans could have hoped with Kruger doing his best Dave Bolland impersonation and Shaw driving the opposition nuts with his physical play, non stop chattering and the job he does on the powerplay.

And if Holland and Ilitch throw in a condo how could Saad turn down the opportunity to live on 7 Mile Road or Jefferson Avenue?
- RickJ

Lol. Good one!

Does anyone know the nature of Bickell's injury?
- rnewman291

he wasnt injured, he was benched by Q..

Does anyone know the nature of Bickell's injury?
- rnewman291

he wasnt injured, he was benched by Q..

I too think Desjardins has played really well in the role he has played. Vermette has been very solid and that line may be a deciding factor in this series. The 2 role players who have really played well have been Kruger and Shaw. Both have done more than Hawk fans could have hoped with Kruger doing his best Dave Bolland impersonation and Shaw driving the opposition nuts with his physical play, non stop chattering and the job he does on the powerplay.
- paulr

Probably why he got hammered into the bench there in G7.
Funny, what he does in that regard just doesn't seem anywhere near as obvious as what #36 would do, yet he's clearly getting under his opponents' skin!

Where I think he is head-and-shoulders above Bolland: faceoffs. Has done a great job of working with Perrault on this and has markedly improved.

he wasnt injured, he was benched by Q..
- Glenman12

Or as some of us might like to say, Q was mind-(frank)ing him!


We're likely to see the Bickell from G6 crushing bodies all over the ice as a result.

Probably why he got hammered into the bench there in G7.
Funny, what he does in that regard just doesn't seem anywhere near as obvious as what #36 would do, yet he's clearly getting under his opponents' skin!

Where I think he is head-and-shoulders above Bolland: faceoffs. Has done a great job of working with Perrault on this and has markedly improved.
- savvyone-1

Historically players whose main job is to shadow drive the opposition crazy. Bolland had/has a nasty side I don't think Kruger does. And yes while Kruger is better at draws Bolland was better at scoring some huge goals and being more physical. Remember those devastating hits on Hamhuis and in 2013 on Richards?

And if Holland and Ilitch throw in a condo how could Saad turn down the opportunity to live on 7 Mile Road or Jefferson Avenue?
- RickJ

Haha, Rick, you are on fire.