Sharp has never been good with breakaways. I know he worked very hard at it between 13 and 14 to improve on shoot outs, again probably to sure up all aspects of his game in case it came down to the shoot out for making team Canada. Much like how Oshie had a nod over many other Americans because of his shoot out move.

TT is worthless if he's not playing with top end guys. Needs to be top 9 or sit, and honestly........I don't see how anyone in the press box right now is going to take over TT's spot.

Again, I hate to keep harping on it, but Bickell.....one of their larger guys in size has played as small as he can so badly......he's not even an option to dress. That just speaks volumes as to where Q is at with him, and while I don't always agree with Q, on this........I 100% agree with.

I also think very well 29 is gone this summer. Between all the scratches this season and now in the playoffs? Q is done with this guy.........more so then he ever was with 22, who didn't always warrant the dog house.
- SteveRain

wow...no pushback from me on this...must be getting soft....


i have stated numerous times 29 has no legs, can't skate anymore....could be his knees or a combo with other injuries...he can't skate...no way for him to keep up vs this bolt team...

not being able to skate (and he never was a good skater) impacted the rest of his game...passing, shooting, and even checking....

finding a suitor for bicks if he can pass a physical is going to cost stanbow...i don't know if he could give him away right now...

Off topic question for anyone:

Why is Matt Barnaby such a douchebag? He's one of those "since I played in the NHL I know something" a-holes who, when I hear him talk, sounds like an idiot.
- DMCsPulledHammy

Too many hits to the head apparently.
On XM it sounds like he is always looking to boast about something he did in reality all he ever really accomplished was getting punched in the face. He never won a cup with Buffalo and was bought out prior to the 2009 rebirth and 2010 Cup win. A bit bitter. I think they have him there to be a voice from the US since many listeneres are from down here. He does some charity work and is involved in minor league hockey so while arrogant he is better than the local hockey boobs

Just went over this with my pops. I love how they're good enough to win these games while they're still figuring out....how to win these games.
- puckandweirdo

I guess this is what they call pedigree, class, veteran leadership, veteran savvy, battle tested.......Something that is earned like the young Toews, Kane, Seabs and Keith Hawks that found a way to beat the hated Wings.

An intangible earned, one that can't be measured..

But man I don't know what those damn Bolts have to do differently, if anything, to wrap this thing up. They've dominated everything except goaltending and are even at 2....... If they don't win the cup they are earning their pedigree, that's for sure.

I see Versteeg staying because he's cheap, Bickell moved for 2 1/2 bags of pucks, and Sharp/Crawford shipped out for picks/prospects.

I see few if any established roster players coming back in trades this off-season.
- Ogilthorpe2

thats the way i see it....not many other possibilities for stanbow to get compliant and actually field a team...

i do disagree about bicks...he may only be able to get the bags...forget the pucks

Too many hits to the head apparently.
On XM it sounds like he is always looking to boast about something he did in reality all he ever really accomplished was getting punched in the face. He never won a cup with Buffalo and was bought out prior to the 2009 rebirth and 2010 Cup win. A bit bitter. I think they have him there to be a voice from the US since many listeneres are from down here. He does some charity work and is involved in minor league hockey so while arrogant he is better than the local hockey boobs
- Cup-Bearer

so today is a new day and narrative: the hawks have the bolts right where they want them....

thats the way i see it....not many other possibilities for stanbow to get compliant and actually field a team...

i do disagree about bicks...he may only be able to get the bags...forget the pucks
- bogiedoc

At this point I think the Hawks would take it.

In school on days we were allowed to wear anything I was the only kid in a sea of Maple Leaf blue and white with a non Leaf jersey!
- paulr

Who's your OHL team and did you watch the Memorial Cup?

THIS. The cross checking calls on Seabrook?!?! Really would have been fine if they'd called them consistently on everyone, but really?!?!!
- Marlowe

Think it was cuz it was into the boards.

My confidence level at this point is the same as it was against

St Louis first round last year at 2-2
Detroit down 3-1 in 13
LA Down 3-2 on the road last year
Ducks down 3-2 this year

Hawks won them all
Mind set at this point
It's going to be an OT 1 goal type game in game 5 and 6 and maybe 7
Do the little things and play hard
Get pucks deep and shot the puck low and on

Tampa knows now they can win the Cup so experience is out the window

Who's your OHL team and did you watch the Memorial Cup?
- Mr Ricochet

I share season tickets to the Oshawa Generals, who won the Memorial cup which I watched.

Versteeg is gone IMO because Q doesn't love him. I also don't think Q is going to be okay with a roster consisting of 3-4 rookie forwards and 2-3 rookie D-men.

There will be players coming back, Crawford especially can fetch a serviceable one such as Lander.
- Bjm84

1) Due to cap constraints, Q will have no choice
2) Will Q be coaching the Hawks next season? More later...

I guess this is what they call pedigree, class, veteran leadership, veteran savvy, battle tested.......Something that is earned like the young Toews, Kane, Seabs and Keith Hawks that found a way to beat the hated Wings.

An intangible earned, one that can't be measured..

But man I don't know what those damn Bolts have to do differently, if anything, to wrap this thing up. They've dominated everything except goaltending and are even at 2....... If they don't win the cup they are earning their pedigree, that's for sure.
- Mr Ricochet

Not true.

Blackhawks have the shot edge 107 - 104
Goals are tied 9-9
Corsi For total: Blackhawks lead 213 - 205
Face-offs 139 - 97 Blackhawks
Scoring Chances For 101 - 94 TB
High Danger Scoring Chance For 44 - 33 TB

To the eye, it looks like TB is dominating, but in reality, they aren't.

You can check these out at www.war-on-ice.com

My confidence level at this point is the same as it was against

St Louis first round last year at 2-2
Detroit down 3-1 in 13
LA Down 3-2 on the road last year
Ducks down 3-2 this year

Hawks won them all
Mind set at this point
It's going to be an OT 1 goal type game in game 5 and 6 and maybe 7
Do the little things and play hard
Get pucks deep and shot the puck low and on

Tampa knows now they can win the Cup so experience is out the window
- Colbyboy

Uhhh...

Desjardin is battling but looks to be a step slow. All those recycles and board battles are wearing him down.
- SteveRain

Thing I am noticing about Dejardins is he just can't complete a simple pass. Seems every time he has the puck he hears footsteps no matter the zone, but especially the neutral zone.

This wasn't so until this series playing the hair on fire TB tight checking game. Hopefully 3 days between the next two games will help him.

Not true.

Blackhawks have the shot edge 107 - 104
Goals are tied 9-9
Corsi For total: Blackhawks lead 213 - 205
Face-offs 139 - 97 Blackhawks
Scoring Chances For 101 - 94 TB
High Danger Scoring Chance For 44 - 33 TB

To the eye, it looks like TB is dominating, but in reality, they aren't.

You can check these out at www.war-on-ice.com
- CanOCorn

Corn, IMO this is where the advanced stat haters come out with guns a blazing. I'm fully aware of what the stats are and have been, but also see the Hawks skating on the perimeter, not getting to tons of rebounds and having a Bolt in their face no matter what zone they are in.

I'm all for "fancy stats" but watched too many decades of hockey to believe that the Bolts have not dominated every facet of this series save for goaltending and faceoffs, no matter what the advanced stats say.

I am happy to say I know no soccer expressions or have herad them...
- wiz1901

Not even GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thing I am noticing about Dejardins is he just can't complete a simple pass. Seems every time he has the puck he hears footsteps no matter the zone, but especially the neutral zone.

This wasn't so until this series playing the hair on fire TB tight checking game. Hopefully 3 days between the next two games will help him.
- Mr Ricochet

He is not the fastest guy to begin with. He has a tendency to take some long shifts and get caught out there. He did the same thing in the regular season. Especially after he first came here.

Not even GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- stljam

Wiz don't do Spanish.

Versteeg is gone IMO because Q doesn't love him. I also don't think Q is going to be okay with a roster consisting of 3-4 rookie forwards and 2-3 rookie D-men.

There will be players coming back, Crawford especially can fetch a serviceable one such as Lander.
- Bjm84

Versteeg is a Q guy.

They can't afford players coming back.

Thing I am noticing about Dejardins is he just can't complete a simple pass. Seems every time he has the puck he hears footsteps no matter the zone, but especially the neutral zone.

This wasn't so until this series playing the hair on fire TB tight checking game. Hopefully 3 days between the next two games will help him.
- Mr Ricochet

All the things you say and a bit short on speed. That's why there is no priority or urgency to resign him. He will be looking for a contract somewhere and be lucky to crack the $1M mark - it won't be in Chicago. But he has been a contributor here.

Corn, IMO this is where the advanced stat haters come out with guns a blazing. I'm fully aware of what the stats are and have been, but also see the Hawks skating on the perimeter, not getting to tons of rebounds and having a Bolt in their face no matter what zone they are in.

I'm all for "fancy stats" but watched too many decades of hockey to believe that the Bolts have not dominated every facet of this series save for goaltending and faceoffs, no matter what the advanced stats say.
- Mr Ricochet

I think if there is a lineup change next game... Bickell will be in for Desjardin.

I think if there is a lineup change next game... Bickell will be in for Desjardin.
- Al

I think #29 is on vacation and won't be returning to the office before June 18.

Saad makes a good soldier, but I don't see him being more than that. At least not yet. To deserve the payday most here thinks he has coming I'd like to see him demonstrate some recognition of chances for someone other than himself. Being the monster he is should afford him the ability to drag 2 defenders with him. That's when he needs to understand there is an open man who probably has a better look than the guy with 2 players hanging all over him. IF the time comes that he recognizes and takes advantage of that then I'm all in.
- 6628

He is a north/side power forward with hands...Doesn't need to be anymore because this team hasn't had any in decades. Saad has the size, strength and speed along with some finish....If they paid Bickell they will pay Saad.

What you are looking for could come in awhile when he becomes a complete player...Still too young and good to not pay.

I think #29 is on vacation and won't be returning to the office before June 18.
- RickJ

4th line except for Shaw was MIA last game...If there is a change that is the one that makes the most sense.