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?
- paulr

Pretty big goal by Krug's in game out in Anahiem

They may have no choice. They're also very high on Darling.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed.

Darling showed he can play in big games based on his Nashville performance.

I'm NOT advocating trading Crawford, but I don't think he's a lock to stay here.........The only "locks" where the hawks would have to get a MASSIVE amount in return are: Keith, Hammer, Seabrook, Toews, Kane, and Saad.

I think Hossa, Sharp, and Crawford are in the next tier, with Hossa being the next closest to being a lock.

Wow crazy weekend. The Hawks pulled if off. I only got to listen to a half period due to family obligations.

The Hawks certainly, pleasantly have exceeded my expectations.

I have had the Lightning in my pool for the Cup. Could not be a better showcase for the NHL. While I know this is a Hawks board, there appears to be a lot of taking the Lightning for granted..or rather a lot of discounting.

In my opinion, if you want to see a team structured like the 2010 Hawks, this lightning team might be the closest you will get. That is depth up and down the line up, with speed, skill and tenacious 2 way play.

They are just learning how to win, which is a little scary. They dominate, then lay an egg, then dominate again. When they turn it on, it reminds me of the older hawk teams.

Tampa blue line is nothing to sneeze at. They Hedman will be a Norris finalist in the next few years. Stralman, playing his best hockey. Carle, Coburn solid and experienced.

Brian Boyle, JT brown and Morrow are a handful for a 4th line.

There will be a lot of scoring and action in this series. I could see this going either way. Don't expect the Lightning to be awed by the Hawks. This team is not here by accident.

Pretty big goal by Krug's in game out in Anahiem
- vabeachbear

Bigger than the one in Boston?

Wow crazy weekend. The Hawks pulled if off. I only got to listen to a half period due to family obligations.

The Hawks certainly, pleasantly have exceeded my expectations.

I have had the Lightning in my pool for the Cup. Could not be a better showcase for the NHL. While I know this is a Hawks board, there appears to be a lot of taking the Lightning for granted..or rather a lot of discounting.

In my opinion, if you want to see a team structured like the 2010 Hawks, this lightning team might be the closest you will get. That is depth up and down the line up, with speed, skill and tenacious 2 way play.

They are just learning how to win, which is a little scary. They dominate, then lay an egg, then dominate again. When they turn it on, it reminds me of the older hawk teams.

Tampa blue line is nothing to sneeze at. They Hedman will be a Norris finalist in the next few years. Stralman, playing his best hockey. Carle, Coburn solid and experienced.

Brian Boyle, JT brown and Morrow are a handful for a 4th line.

There will be a lot of scoring and action in this series. I could see this going either way. Don't expect the Lightning to be awed by the Hawks. This team is not here by accident.
- TrueGrit

Strange you would caution Hawk fans on taking the Lightening lightly when you've written the Hawks off for the last 3 years.

This will be a great series but if the Hawks best players play their best Tampa will be in trouble.

Curious to see where Kruger slides in come $$ time.

Saad is somewhere between 4-5 million. Hawks try to go low on this kid, and he will get an offer sheet like Hammer did in 2010. Hopefully Stanley has learned his lesson on that negotiating tactic.

However, Kruger is an interesting case. Not a top 6 in regards to talent. Never has shown that consistent offensive game that says he COULD be a top 6, like Bolland showed when paired with Havlat and Ladd, and then quickly proved was a fluke when continued to fail over and over again.

Also, you don't see Kruger adding much in the playoffs on the offensive side.

My point is, I think the Hawks really have the leverage here. if Kruger wants to stay at this price, fine........but if he's asking for more on a team where every penny may count..........something to keep an eye on.
- SteveRain

OK, but...is forechecking and keeping the o-zone pressure and cycling the puck a good measurement of offensive prowess? Obviously, that doesn't necessarily mean goals, but still, as the Ducks series wore on, 16-11-65 was doing that quite well. sometimes it potted goals, but most times not. Still, he's not adding a ton of goals, but he's getting points when needed and keeping the puck in the o-zone. That's all one could ask for from a 4th line center, isn't it?

Agreed.

Darling showed he can play in big games based on his Nashville performance.

I'm NOT advocating trading Crawford, but I don't think he's a lock to stay here.........The only "locks" where the hawks would have to get a MASSIVE amount in return are: Keith, Hammer, Seabrook, Toews, Kane, and Saad.

I think Hossa, Sharp, and Crawford are in the next tier, with Hossa being the next closest to being a lock.
- SteveRain

There is and has been interest in Crawford. Hawks will get good return there from a team looking for a solid #1. They have work to do this offseason and another guy they project as a good #1 behind their defense at $5.5 million less per year. It's sort of regrettable but also sort of a no-brainer.

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

The Red Wings would not be able to offer Saad a deal worth $5.5m/year because they don't have the draft picks to offer as compensation.

The only teams that could put an Offer Sheet in front of Brandon Saad worth more than $5.1/m AAV are: Arizona, Carolina, New Jersey, Columbus, Colorado, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

Where did I say they have no chance? I see hawks in 6 is pompous and arrogant? Well, you have a lot of people to call pompous and arrogant. Start with the Vegas books. Melrose. I'm sure many,many more by this time Wednesday. I didn't predict a sweep.

You know what, go back and read what I actually wrote. If Bishop plays lights out, if they open it up and get some bounces. Because they're not that far off.

No, if they go mano a mano, all else being equal, the matchups favor the Hawks and their ability to bottle up teams that play Tampa's style, maybe heavily.

But sure, they have to play the games and anything, conceivably, can happen.

You go back and read my blogs on ALL the playoff series. Pompous and arrogant, or mostly right? You tell me.
- John Jaeckel

Multi game playoffs, in any sport, are won/lost because of match ups, stars, and coaching. I don't see how the Hawks aren't favored in any of these 3.

I think any of the 4 lines can hold their own against the top 2 for Tampa, giving Q the opportunity to put his top 2 lines against the bottom 2 for Tampa. I like 19 and 88 against ANYONE in the league, and Q has shown a willingness to change things from game to game. BTW, something I think Bruce B refused to do in Game 7 that cost him (I would have at least tried Kesler on the Getzlaf line since Q was matching up 19 against that line).

Unless something unexpected happens, I don't see how they lose this series.

Problem there is the Hawks have a strategy to prevent his. More to come in a few weeks.
- John Jaeckel

I think they (Stan/Scotty) know exactly what they are doing. Who's being moved, whats coming back in those trades, who's being resigned and for how much. What specific 4 to 6 young guys are going to get the shot on the 3 or 4 open spots.

I think there might be a deal in place with Philly, I also still think contrary to some that Sharp and Crawford will be the two moved, not Bickell. They will bring a bigger return than most. Maybe those two are going to Philly

Strange you would caution Hawk fans on taking the Lightening lightly when you've written the Hawks off for the last 3 years.

This will be a great series but if the Hawks best players play their best Tampa will be in trouble.
- paulr

Pure comedy!

Strange you would caution Hawk fans on taking the Lightening lightly when you've written the Hawks off for the last 3 years.

This will be a great series but if the Hawks best players play their best Tampa will be in trouble.
- paulr

I'll also this seems like a VERY motivated team. They aren't happy to be just here, and that win Saturday afterwards even proved it more. This team is acting like internally they understand at least a few guys who may have been here since the get go or going to be gone and this could be their last shot REALISTIC shot at a cup for a few years.

Nobody from any other team can argue that the main core on this team, can be challenged in overall talent, and stepping up when the big boys play in the spring. That's why it's hard for me to see how they lose.

Tampa is very good..........but you aren't just beating 1 guy like in New York in Henrik, you are beating top end guys at every position in the league. Good luck.

Wow crazy weekend. The Hawks pulled if off. I only got to listen to a half period due to family obligations.

The Hawks certainly, pleasantly have exceeded my expectations.

I have had the Lightning in my pool for the Cup. Could not be a better showcase for the NHL. While I know this is a Hawks board, there appears to be a lot of taking the Lightning for granted..or rather a lot of discounting.

In my opinion, if you want to see a team structured like the 2010 Hawks, this lightning team might be the closest you will get. That is depth up and down the line up, with speed, skill and tenacious 2 way play.

They are just learning how to win, which is a little scary. They dominate, then lay an egg, then dominate again. When they turn it on, it reminds me of the older hawk teams.

Tampa blue line is nothing to sneeze at. They Hedman will be a Norris finalist in the next few years. Stralman, playing his best hockey. Carle, Coburn solid and experienced.

Brian Boyle, JT brown and Morrow are a handful for a 4th line.

There will be a lot of scoring and action in this series. I could see this going either way. Don't expect the Lightning to be awed by the Hawks. This team is not here by accident.
- TrueGrit

Where are Byfuglien, Ladd and Brouwer? Hedman is approaching the Keith tier, but where is Seabrook?

Very good team but I don't see this comparison. And until proven otherwise, in all aspects of the game,

Toews>Stamkos
Kane>Johnson

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

Ha ha, if i had a chance to be 22 y/o and make $6mill i would live in a heavily armed bunker on W. Jefferson and S.Cary St (now that is a brutal neighborhood). Doesnt Patty Kane prefer Hamburg NY to the "Magnificent" Mile; so there's no accounting for taste. Btw, i dont think Jefferson crosses 7 Mile Rd but i get your point - Hollands offer sheet shouldn't include any visual aids!

There is and has been interest in Crawford. Hawks will get good return there from a team looking for a solid #1. They have work to do this offseason and another guy they project as a good #1 behind their defense at $5.5 million less per year. It's sort of regrettable but also sort of a no-brainer.
- John Jaeckel

Well that is exactly it. The Blackhawks rely more on their total game then they do their goalies to stop pucks. In this mold, Crawford and his 6 million cap hit becomes expendables and fetches the best return of any Hawk likely to be moved this summer.

I don't think that JJ is saying Tampa has no chance. That's a stretch and an over-generalization on your part, IMO.

How are things back in Rochester? (I grew up in Wayne county until I moved to DC for work)
- stp1978

Rochester is pretty good Mid-town is developing nicely and the city has some things going for it downtown. The festivals in summer are pretty awesome assuming the weather stays nice. It was nice to get the Sabres back as the head of the Amerks, the Panthers were a joke of owners.

I'll also this seems like a VERY motivated team. They aren't happy to be just here, and that win Saturday afterwards even proved it more. This team is acting like internally they understand at least a few guys who may have been here since the get go or going to be gone and this could be their last shot REALISTIC shot at a cup for a few years.

Nobody from any other team can argue that the main core on this team, can be challenged in overall talent, and stepping up when the big boys play in the spring. That's why it's hard for me to see how they lose.

Tampa is very good..........but you aren't just beating 1 guy like in New York in Henrik, you are beating top end guys at every position in the league. Good luck.
- SteveRain

Go onto Sportsnet and listen to the interview with Ron MacLean, he has the Hawks winning in 4 or 5.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/590/

OK, but...is forechecking and keeping the o-zone pressure and cycling the puck a good measurement of offensive prowess? Obviously, that doesn't necessarily mean goals, but still, as the Ducks series wore on, 16-11-65 was doing that quite well. sometimes it potted goals, but most times not. Still, he's not adding a ton of goals, but he's getting points when needed and keeping the puck in the o-zone. That's all one could ask for from a 4th line center, isn't it?
- CanOCorn

I agree with you but if that 4th line center wants 2nd or 3rd line center money can you justify keeping him? Not sure that you can.

I understand what Kruger does. I do. Does a lot of the grunt work.

My opening this can of worms is just stating Bolland not only did all of that, he also played physical, and out performed offensively the line he was shutting down. I could see why he was given large $$ because he gave you glimpses that yes, he could at times, produce high end offensive out put. Kruger hasn't done that.

If Kruger wants north of 3 million........hard to justify that.

EVERYONE out there is saying Hawks in 6 or BOLTS in 7 , ....


Heres the news :


BLACKHAWKS WILL SWEEP THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING .

The Lightning have a legit all WORLD Superstar in Stamkos . Ok thats 1 . Just 1 . Stamkos does most of his damage on the Power Play .

The Lightning's bottom 6 is a FRAUD. The Hawks bottom 6 head to head will eat them alive . The Blackhawks Bottom 6 vs. TBL's top 6 could be an offensive struggle for Tampa.

Not to mention that WHEN 91 is on the ice he will be facing Keith and Seabrook or Hammer and Oduya 98% of the time , the only time this will not happen is when the Hawks ice the puck on the road .

I think Cooper is a very good coach I just dont think he has the horses to compete in this one . The offensively challenged Rangers averaged 3 goals a game against TBL.... The Hawks will score 15-20 goals in the first 4 games of this series .


The Blackhawks will sweep Tampa , enjoy it .

I think they (Stan/Scotty) know exactly what they are doing. Who's being moved, whats coming back in those trades, who's being resigned and for how much. What specific 4 to 6 young guys are going to get the shot on the 3 or 4 open spots.

I think there might be a deal in place with Philly, I also still think contrary to some that Sharp and Crawford will be the two moved, not Bickell. They will bring a bigger return than most. Maybe those two are going to Philly
- vabeachbear

Agreed re: 10 and 50 and not 29. Although they might be able to package 29 with 50.

My spidey sense (and some early intel) tell me: 50---> EDM or BUFF , 10----> FLA

Would not rule out Philly, or TO or SJ (for 50)

Tampa Bay and the Eastern Conference are much improved this year. I think this will be a great series and will go six possibly seven games, but the Hawks will win this, IMO.
Finals experience is something you just can't overlook and Chicago has it in spades. I would give Keith or Toews (flip a coin) Playoff MVP. Unless of course Johnson just goes off, but I have a feeling he won't like this series too much. Hawks in six.

I think they (Stan/Scotty) know exactly what they are doing. Who's being moved, whats coming back in those trades, who's being resigned and for how much. What specific 4 to 6 young guys are going to get the shot on the 3 or 4 open spots.

I think there might be a deal in place with Philly, I also still think contrary to some that Sharp and Crawford will be the two moved, not Bickell. They will bring a bigger return than most. Maybe those two are going to Philly
- vabeachbear

I doubt it. Philly is in even worse cap shape than the Hawks. There is no way they can take on 12M in salary without having to send equal dollars back. doesn't really help either team.

And no way in hell would I want their big ticket players that they want to move.

Where are Byfuglien, Ladd and Brouwer? Hedman is approaching the Keith tier, but where is Seabrook?

Very good team but I don't see this comparison. And until proven otherwise, in all aspects of the game,

Toews>Stamkos
Kane>Johnson
- John Jaeckel

Yeah I don't get that comparison either.

THey don't have large guys who could be top end talent elsewhere like Ladd, Brouwer, and Buff were, behind top end skilled guys........and a huge amount of depth.

I just dont' see it. They are a very good team.........but this isn't anywhere close to the 2010 Hawks.

EVERYONE out there is saying Hawks in 6 or BOLTS in 7 , ....


Heres the news :


BLACKHAWKS WILL SWEEP THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING .

The Lightning have a legit all WORLD Superstar in Stamkos . Ok thats 1 . Just 1 . Stamkos does most of his damage on the Power Play .

The Lightning's bottom 6 is a FRAUD. The Hawks bottom 6 head to head will eat them alive . The Blackhawks Bottom 6 vs. TBL's top 6 could be an offensive struggle for Tampa.

Not to mention that WHEN 91 is on the ice he will be facing Keith and Seabrook or Hammer and Oduya 98% of the time , the only time this will not happen is when the Hawks ice the puck on the road .

I think Cooper is a very good coach I just dont think he has the horses to compete in this one . The offensively challenged Rangers averaged 3 goals a game against TBL.... The Hawks will score 15-20 goals in the first 4 games of this series .


The Blackhawks will sweep Tampa , enjoy it .
- mrpaulish

Are you kidding? Their top line is Kevin Hayes, Derrick Brassard and Rick Nash!!

Bigger than the one in Boston?
- paulr

No, just pointing out that Krugs does have a big goal in him. Loved Bolland, would never say anything bad about him, Really love the Kruger plays as well. Looking for Danault to follow in these two footsteps.

What 16 brings is a big, big advantage for Q. Being able to throw the 4th line against most teams 1st line.

Look at it from this upcoming series standpoint. If he can throw 4th against the 1st, then Toews out against the 2nd, that's two shutdown lines against the top two line heavy team like the lightning.

Hawks 2nd and 3rd lines should dominate this series.