Except it would have cost more than just subtracting those players to make his cap hit fit. So who knows.
- Elbows15

FWIW, pretty sure Van would have had to take Bickell.

[img]

Its like Q has this habbitnof trying to win with less than his best line up or lines.

Its game 5 and Q seems to be goig with his absolute best options at every position on every line. This is bad news for the Bolts and the rookie G that didnt play as well as all the talking heads said he did. Game 4 was an inch and a half from.being 5-1

- mrpaulish[/img]

This is about the time Q settles in (or figures out) what the best options are. Hence the 41-14 Gs 4-7 record since 2009.

The lines at practice are prrfect.

Throbbingly perfect

#Blackhawks lines at practice: Sharp-Toews-Hossa; Saad-Richards-Kane; Versteeg-Vermette-Teravainen; Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
- mrpaulish

Agreed, Mr.P...this gives us our best shot at winning.

The lines at practice are prrfect.

Throbbingly perfect

#Blackhawks lines at practice: Sharp-Toews-Hossa; Saad-Richards-Kane; Versteeg-Vermette-Teravainen; Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
- mrpaulish

F'n A Q...

I didn't think Timonen was terrible. The penalty was almost forgivable, not blatant, more circumstantial. I thought he played pretty decent at times. I would not use him MORE, but how they used him was fine. And he is not bad on the point even in his diminished state.
- John Jaeckel

If he were to sign in Chicago it would be for the polar opposite reason he signed in St. Louis. He made good money but had no chance at a cup in St. Louis while in Chicago he has a chance at the cup but no chance at good money.
- paulr

The lines at practice are prrfect.

Throbbingly perfect

#Blackhawks lines at practice: Sharp-Toews-Hossa; Saad-Richards-Kane; Versteeg-Vermette-Teravainen; Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw
- mrpaulish

This is what I am hoping for tomorrow night

FWIW, pretty sure Van would have had to take Bickell.
- John Jaeckel

Meh. They are 2 wins away from the Cup with the moves they made. If any of us had been asked at the beginning of the season would we take this, we all would say yes. Even with Kesler the Hawks weren't sweeping TB. Richards has been very good in these playoffs. Hell. Just having Rozy has the possibility to have made things easier to get to this point. It is what it is and I am just enjoying watching the Hawks try to win another Cup.

Agreed, Mr.P...this gives us our best shot at winning.
- MexicoHawk

I would switch Versteeg and Shaw but that is me. Shaw and TT have had good chemistry. It also forces Versteeg to play a simple game where he is at his best. He then has the puck skills in the Ozone to maybe take advantage of a favorable match-up.

With regards to that photo of TVR, it takes more than chest and bicep muscle to be strong on the puck in hockey...I'll bet that if that photo showed his legs you would find your answer. Just talk to Toews about which part of the body is most important in his game, and he'll tell you his core anchored to his legs. Toews does not possess the biggest upper body in the league, and he doesn't need it...but I defy you to show me a centre with a stronger centre of gravity than him! From his abs to his ankles Kane is likely the strongest Centre in hockey! For TVR to become effective as an NHL DMan he will need to strengthen his centre of gravity, and become even quicker at moving the puck.

I can tell you this from experience, the bulk up top on a hockey player is mostly necessary for ABSORBING the force in hits. Success at face-offs comes from your core...and even delivering big hits comes from your hips and legs! In hockey they talk about the necessity to be strong down the middle, in hockey players its strong IN the middle...when I played Bryan Trottier told me "big arms are just for show, but its the core that makes you strong". And have any of you tried to take Trotts of the puck? Mel Bridgman told me once that he hit Trottier at full speed and got knocked to the ice seeing little birds and Mel was built like a tank!

I would switch Versteeg and Shaw but that is me. Shaw and TT have had good chemistry. It also forces Versteeg to play a simple game where he is at his best. He then has the puck skills in the Ozone to maybe take advantage of a favorable match-up.
- Elbows15

Or would Versteeg try to be "the man" on the 4th line?

Could, but do not have to; in fact a friend of mine who recently contracted it had absolutely no head trauma whatsoever. It was a viral infection which caused his.

His Dr. asking him about head contact or any type of concussive or sub-concussive blows to the head and he said he didn't believe so. He was tested for concussions and passed with flying colors.

On the talking heads, I pay absolutely no attention to their statements.

It'll be interesting to find out after the season (assuming the 'Hawks are not in active trade talks about Bickell) if there was any examination by an ENT Dr revealing any sort of inner ear issues.
- blackhawk24

I can confirm this too from personal family experience.

I would switch Versteeg and Shaw but that is me. Shaw and TT have had good chemistry. It also forces Versteeg to play a simple game where he is at his best. He then has the puck skills in the Ozone to maybe take advantage of a favorable match-up.
- Elbows15

As long as Shaw isnt at Center

Can it be Saturday yet? I want another SCF game.

Agreed, Mr.P...this gives us our best shot at winning.
- MexicoHawk

You are so right about Richards. absolutely he should be resigned. Living in Trump Tower with Kane as a neighbor is not a bad life

Are we thinking there will be a change on the blue line in Game 5?
I hope not. Was liking what I saw, except, I need some more cow bell! Wait sorry, Timonen**.
- BURDA13

Totally off-topic (well, not really, it IS hockey-related, and to the bolded).

Speaking of cow-bell, how about this for you guys and gals out there that still play. One of the rinks our league plays at s/b torn down and was supposed to be revamped until IL pulled the money in its current budget/pension crisis.

So, the rink's scoreboard goes out -- and is so old, they supposedly can't get parts (at least right away) and don't have $$ for a new one. Guess what?

They are using a (frank)ing cowbell (!!!!!!!!) to signal the end of each period.
And the scorekeeper has to keep time with a watch.


I asked who let (frank)ing Christopher Walken in as scorekeeper.

Don't know how this is funny especially if he can be had for notably less than his $2.2M cap hit. He's a known commodity in this system albeit his age, recent injury and slowing down. I see no issue with him as the #7-8D if he'd sign for half his current cap hit. 4-1/2 months to heal from that injury? Maybe.
- blackhawk24

I expect Roszival to get the brookbank/handzus treatment. Hawks don't re-sign him nor do any other teams in the NHL because he is no longer a NHL player.

Honest question, do you think that the Hawks and other teams for that matter with a developed core, would rather sign more NHL ready older college players, vs draft and Junior guys?

This has to be strategic. The college prospect is going to be who he is rather quickly. Meaning, you are not going to wait 3 years for a 23 year old to be ready. he is either close and serviceable or not?
- TrueGrit

I'm not seeing either step right onto NHL rosters with any regularity, most still need to go through the AHL first. The College guys will obviously be more mature both physically and mentally but the Junior players are used to long grinding seasons. So the answer to that is I don't know.

On a personal level, if I had a son who could play hockey at a high level I'd prefer him to go through the college ranks and take subjects other than basket weaving so there is a fall back in the event hockey doesn't pan out. A good friend of mine, who Mexico knows, was drafted by the North Stars out of RPI, where he was a major star. He hd a few injuries, played a handful of games in the NHL but played mostly in the AHL, International league and in Europe. He unfortunately didn't take advantage of the education RPI offered and is now a construction labourer.

You are so right about Richards. absolutely he should be resigned. Living in Trump Tower with Kane as a neighbor is not a bad life
- Maggie

I thought he was stationed at the field museum as an exhibit?

I thought he was stationed at the field museum as an exhibit?
- biegs

- Maggie

guess I was wrong

guess I was wrong
- biegs

I thought he was stationed at the field museum as an exhibit?
- biegs

Depends who you're talking to!

Dunno, I think it's not unreasonable to look at a kid and say the optimal physical tools you want in a d-man aren't there. He's smart and he's shown that. But he is an average skater and pretty weak physically (at this point). Room for development? Sure and some of that is up to him. But based on where he is now, you have to be able to project, too.
- John Jaeckel

Weak yes but he shows a mostly good and active stick to make up for some of it.

This gives the Hawks another chance to reconsider their position on the value of NON-SKATERS, i.e. Goalies. IMO, the Hawks have no other choice but to trade Crawford this off season while his value is high, and then take that money (a la SCOTTY Bowman) and put it into strength at Centre and a deep defensive core. Right now, against a backdrop of ZERO Cap space, the Hawks have 3 championship calibre DMen coming back. That leaves FOUR (count them, 1, 2, 3, 4) crucial roster spots to fill without much of any money to do it!

Now, for sure Sharp will be traded, (the Hawks don't have any other options and Teravainen is ready to fill that role) and they would love to dump Bickell's contract, but it might come at a price. Could they move Versteeg at $2.2 million? I think so, but they might not want to, as he becomes a good "affordable veteran" to split time with a rookie forward (12th/13th man) play 50 games, stay fresh, be counted upon during the playoffs and fit upon occasion on every line. However, my preference would be Desjardins, as he is even more flexible IMO (being a true Centre) and can play this role for HALF that amount.

After resigning Saad and Kruger (both might see offer sheets), finding a 2nd line Centre, and perhaps resigning Desjardins if they trade Versteeg, the trades of Sharp and Bickell/Versteeg STILL aren't enough! And please consider this...Coach Q can only pull so many miracles with his defence corp, he needs to be able to count upon a top notch group of FOUR, not three! Oduya needs to be resigned because the cost of replacing him will be THE SAME or even more with someone else of that ilk, plus Oduya IS ALREADY A HAWK and knows what it takes to win a championship! We simply do not possess a player in our organization who is ready to take this spot just yet. Johns (if healthy) will be given every chance as our #5 DMan, and based on what I have observed he is more than ready. TVR will be given every chance to become our steady #6 DMan. BUT, both are inexperienced rookies and both have a history of INJURIES, and in the case of TVR, major injuries. The Hawks MUST acquire a veteran #6/7 DMan who has a history of playoff success. That won't cost a mere million dollars.

So with Kruger inheriting the #3 Centre role and Danault taking over the #4 Centre position, that still leaves the CRUCIAL #2 Centre spot to fill. This is why I mentioned yesterday that the Hawks will have to have a discussion with Brad Richards about reprising his role one more time at $2 million a year. While he is slow and aging, he doesn't have a great history of injuries, has a great relationship with Kane on and off the ice, and he has played his heart out this post season. Richards LIKES Chicago a lot, and from what I have heard, he wants to stay centring Kane. Thus, this scenario has to be explored because Teravainen is NOT ready to be our 2nd line Centre, if ever. That doesn't mean that Teuvo isn't a good player, he is, but not at Centre. I see his future as the "heir apparent" to Patrick Sharp. And for those not willing to believe that Richards would take another $2 million contract, think again, the Rangers bought him out of his massive deal last year, he isn't playing hockey for the money, he's playing it for Championships and the love of the game! Centring Patrick Kane on the Chicago Blackhawks fills both of his prerequisites!

So the first line stays the same with Saad, Toews and Hossa. The second line becomes Teuvo/Panarin, Richards, Kane. The third line becomes Tuevo/Panarin, Kruger, Baun, while the fourth line will be Desi/Versteeg/Rookie, Danault and Shaw. Consider this, if Panarin "pans" out, the Hawks will be every bit as good at the forward position as they were this year, which was the best in the NHL.

So again, the key becomes defence and goaltending. I firmly believe that Scott Darling is the "real deal", a true steal that fell into the Hawk's laps. He is still young, very mature, a "flat line" personality, possesses a HUGE frame, but with incredible agility and athleticism. Plus, his rebound control and crease positioning are both already better than Crawford's. Raanta makes an excellent 1B goalie who can take a lot of starts and both are young with affordable and controlled contracts. So the true key comes down to resigning Oduya for 2 more years and finding that solid third pairing defenceman who can rotate with Johns and TVR. And to achieve this (along with Saad, Kruger, Richards and Desjardins) means that Sharp, Crawford, Bickell and Versteeg would all have to go. This would give us a CAP total of $68 million leaving space for any dollars we might have to eat with Bickell and allowances for the CAP not increasing to $71 million. It also gives us flexibility for the trade deadline next year should more needs arise, or if any key player gets injured.
- MexicoHawk

All of this. Totally agree.