Agreed on Richards - he's not getting much fanfare but he has been my favorite Hawks forward to watch all playoffs. He is flying out there, making so many subtle plays that have contributed to goals-for. Makes the decision to not trade Teuvo+ for Kesler look even better than it already did.
- BreakoutHockey

In juniors, (Rimouski I think) Richards was one of the most feared playmakers. He played incredible minutes on the point of the PP. When asked to do what he has a natural talent for, we see great results. Keep limiting his minutes as a grinder, it's paying dividends. With Saad absorbing some of the board and net battles, Kane and Richards should find some things.

Hawkeybuzzers:

Do you think it is a lack of intensity/hunger that is making the Hawks look a "step slow"?

OR is it more a result of the ridiculous team speed of Tampa giving the hawks older legs trouble??

IDK but it just seems that Tampa Bay wants it a bit more to this point...they have 0 Cup champions on their team (right?) and Callahan may be the most Cup-hungry player in the entire series- he is killing us so far-.... I just dont see the consistent "do or die" mentality from a lot of the lineup...looking at you Patrick Kane/Sharp before game 4
- EnzoD

nooooo....the only reason this team is with in 2 wins of their cup this playoff is their intensity, will and hunger...

lets be honest here after the season this team looked like a 1st round loser regardless of kane injury or the trade line addition....

they have mind boggling compete and championship pedigree that has carried them this far.....they are the dominate team of 3 and 5 years ago.

How from watching the game from your TV can anyone assess "want to" more than the other team.

for gawd sakes they have played 11 strt games with 4 dmen...now 3.5 vs strong physical forecheck from 2 teams....

there one large big winger, 29, i'm convinced is seriously hurt and just can't go anymore....their top sniper sharp for what ever reason has seen his conversion rate plummet and can't finish anymore....kane has never seen a team defense on him like tampa....

in my view its their intensity and will that has taken them this far...

and oh BTW the bolts are a very very good team

Fair point sir. I say bottom 6 because if I recall correctly he was playing on the third line with Richards close to after he was acquired. I see your point though.
- 93Joe

Though. He does fit a 4th line role extremely well. Nothing wrong with that. He will find a paycheck in the league for some time.

Actually Ogi, MOST people in the gym are ONLY interested in their upper body, because that's the "million dollar look". I know it exists with athletes too from personal experience. Most guys simply don't want to put the same TIME and effort into their "legs" (which means core) as they do their upper body, which has always surprised me.
- MexicoHawk

Even if this were true, he's obviously not allergic to getting himself into the gym, with a little guidance he should be able to improve where needed.

Doesn't matter though. He's a bottom pair D-man for the Hawks, so he's automatically got a target on his back amongst this crowd.

Steve, just because one GM, desperate to maintain his employment, overpaid Petry how does this make Oduya suddenly a more valuable commodity than Hammer? And even if the Cap goes up this year, its been Cap hell for most teams for the last 2 years. Could another GM offer a $5 million deal for Oduya's services (with his age and his recent history of leg injuries)? Of course, yes, they could, but not without great risk and the likely "suitor" would be a young team looking to get over the hump. Is that what Oduya wants? To leave CHI just for the sake of some more money and for-go more championships??? Personally, I don't think so, but you never know.
- MexicoHawk

100% I agree with you. He will still make good $$ staying in Chicago with a chance to win a few more cups.

Actually Ogi, MOST people in the gym are ONLY interested in their upper body, because that's the "million dollar look". I know it exists with athletes too from personal experience. Most guys simply don't want to put the same TIME and effort into their "legs" (which means core) as they do their upper body, which has always surprised me.
- MexicoHawk

Players today have people on staff who are well educated in training professional athletes. There is a boatload of money depending on them being in shape.

Even if this were true, he's obviously not allergic to getting himself into the gym, with a little guidance he should be able to improve where needed.

Doesn't matter though. He's a bottom pair D-man for the Hawks, so he's automatically got a target on his back amongst this crowd.
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't tread on us bro.

Bishop goes Saturday. Skipping Wed gave him 5 days of rest..suggesting a bruise or strain injury...
- TrueGrit

Seeing him for 2 periods in front of me Monday.......I think it's a left groin. I think when he went to push off on Seabrooks shot where Hossa jammed his pad, something strained or popped. He has a hard time moving, and would barely skate during commercial breaks and literally glided all the way from the crease to blue line for the anthem.

Fact he can't stop anything low and FOUGHT a ton of pucks in the butterfly tells me he can't get into his technical position, so something is keeping him more up and off.

Definitely lower body.

In Money Ball, Lewis talked about how Billy Beane preferred drafting players out of college versus right out of high school. The same should apply here, no?
- 333inthe3rd

One of the other great advantages of College hockey to Juniors is the SYSTEM that they provide for student athletes. They are exposed to NON OPTIONAL weight training programs and their diets are monitored and often "controlled" to an extent. Junior kids are in a whole different world that involves a lot of "personal discretion". With the huge improvement in College coaching, this path has become the preferred method for developing kids that feature consistency in their work habits.

Hawkeybuzzers:

Do you think it is a lack of intensity/hunger that is making the Hawks look a "step slow"?

OR is it more a result of the ridiculous team speed of Tampa giving the hawks older legs trouble??

IDK but it just seems that Tampa Bay wants it a bit more to this point...they have 0 Cup champions on their team (right?) and Callahan may be the most Cup-hungry player in the entire series- he is killing us so far-.... I just dont see the consistent "do or die" mentality from a lot of the lineup...looking at you Patrick Kane/Sharp before game 4
- EnzoD

Really? This is what these guys dreamed of as kids. To think they are lacking anything for these games is ludicrous. Winning NEVER gets old.

nooooo....the only reason this team is with in 2 wins of their cup this playoff is their intensity, will and hunger...

lets be honest here after the season this team looked like a 1st round loser regardless of kane injury or the trade line addition....

they have mind boggling compete and championship pedigree that has carried them this far.....they are the dominate team of 3 and 5 years ago.

How from watching the game from your TV can anyone assess "want to" more than the other team.

for gawd sakes they have played 11 strt games with 4 dmen...now 3.5 vs strong physical forecheck from 2 teams....

there one large big winger, 29, i'm convinced is seriously hurt and just can't go anymore....their top sniper sharp for what ever reason has seen his conversion rate plummet and can't finish anymore....kane has never seen a team defense on him like tampa....

in my view its their intensity and will that has taken them this far...

and oh BTW the bolts are a very very good team
- bogiedoc

Excellent post Bogie, exactly right!

Sure TvR has room to improve, but what you see is what he has got, not hesitation, relunctance or excuses...
and i am not saying I don't like him, just that I at this point in my life, i don't hope for things that seem out of reach.
- wiz1901

Where did I say or project anything for TVR that seems out of reach to you?

Also, who's making excuses? I said I thought he's played ok. Also said there were reports of him at RFD having some hesitation which isn't a stretch for a guy coming off of a pretty significant knee injury, so I'm not sure what your disagreeing about.

100% I agree with you. He will still make good $$ staying in Chicago with a chance to win a few more cups.
- Maggie

Question. What is the easiest $4M - $6M to pass up? Answer. Someone else's $4M - $6M.

Very possible that is about what he'll have to pass up to stay a Hawk.

Even if this were true, he's obviously not allergic to getting himself into the gym, with a little guidance he should be able to improve where needed.

Doesn't matter though. He's a bottom pair D-man for the Hawks, so he's automatically got a target on his back amongst this crowd.
- Ogilthorpe2

Not at all, from what I have read here, TVR is very much liked and most people agree that he has lots of room for improvement. But it is also fair to say that there isn't something right with either his mind/body or regimen to have incurred all of these serious injuries. The Hawks would simply be irresponsible to trust that TVR would be able to play all 82 games next season based on his lengthy track record. But, if he is brought along slowly, and can remain injury free, TVR has a chance to become a good NHL DMan.

Only forgetting pullups... great metabolic conditioning and can never have to strong a back....
- Bjm84

You know, it's funny, my current protocol is what I outlined (with some minimal cardio: skating, a little running and sprinting and rowing) and I was wondering just this AM how I can work pull-ups in. Not enough time is the big problem.

I wouldn't "want" to move him... but if another team came along and said, shaw has to be in this deal... and the deal was right, i would take it. Shaw wouldnt be "untouchable" is all im saying. I'd rather him be here. I'd rather not have to replace him...

I mean do you really feel is would be untouchable to the hawks?
- gnosox1986

Did I say he was untouchable? If there were an actual trade on the table it would be easier to comment.

Your original comment included him specifically in a deal to get a better return. What kind of return are you thinking? If it's just for a higher draft pick I wouldn't do it unless EDM or BUF would want to give up theirs which isn't happening.

If you're talking about a player or prospect coming back it would all depend...

Blasted for what, wanting a #7-8D body for depth, with someone who can do OK in the 'Hawks system and at a reasonable price?
- blackhawk24

I said I agree with you.

You don't think after all the Rozy angst this season that there are those out there who wouldn't want him back even as a depth d-man?

I'll make that bet with you.

Question. What is the easiest $4M - $6M to pass up? Answer. Someone else's $4M - $6M.

Very possible that is about what he'll have to pass up to stay a Hawk.
- mohel

I hope he signs for a boatload of money and I will cheer for him to do well.

Players today have people on staff who are well educated in training professional athletes. There is a boatload of money depending on them being in shape.
- Elbows15

Unfortunately, this isn't the case. The NHL season does feature strength coaches, but any on-going formal training is next to impossible because of the NHL schedule grind. Also, many players, like Brad Richards and Patrick Kane have specifics sections in their contracts that exempt them from any formal "weight room" activities. Also, the NHL off season is INCREDIBLY short, especially for playoff teams. It takes a month just for all the bumps and bruises to go away before you can even become "active" again. For most NHL players, the 2 month offseason exists of one month of sleeping/relaxing (spending time with family members, like KIDS) and the other of LIGHT exercise, mostly cardio in prep for camp. It's a VERY TOUGH profession, but they are well compensated for it.

Bishop goes Saturday. Skipping Wed gave him 5 days of rest..suggesting a bruise or strain injury...
- TrueGrit

A bruise would not cause him to wince or limit his range of motion.

I would bet ANYTHING his issue is a connective/soft tissue tear (or strain or whatever you want to call it, a "strain" is a less severe tear, but it's still a tear).

And that kind of injury:

a) does not completely heal in two days or a week
b) is critically debilitating to any quick or power movements
c) very susceptible to re- or further injury
d) and if it's a groin or hip, bad news for a goalie

So even if he goes tomorrow, he's going to be somewhat limited and vulnerable to re-injury. The way he was moving in Game 3, if Tampa plays him, it's a huge gamble IMO and says more about a lack of confidence in Vasilevskiy than anything else

Players today have people on staff who are well educated in training professional athletes. There is a boatload of money depending on them being in shape.
- Elbows15

The only thing a boatload of money got Kyle Wellwood was looking like a beached whale.

A bruise would not cause him to wince or limit his range of motion.

I would bet ANYTHING his issue is a connective/soft tissue tear (or strain or whatever you want to call it, a "strain" is a less severe tear, but it's still a tear).

And that kind of injury:

a) does not completely heal in two days or a week
b) is critically debilitating to any quick or power movements
c) very susceptible to re- or further injury
d) and if it's a groin or hip, bad news for a goalie

So even if he goes tomorrow, he's going to be somewhat limited and vulnerable to re-injury. The way he was moving in Game 3, if Tampa plays him, it's a huge gamble IMO and says more about a lack of confidence in Vasilevskiy than anything else
- John Jaeckel

FWIW, the talking heads on NHL Network Radio this morning seemed convinced that the most recent rumblings coming out of Tampa would suggest that Bishop's down for the count.

The only thing a boatload of money got Kyle Wellwood was looking like a beached whale.
- John Jaeckel

There are always exceptions.

There are always exceptions.
- Elbows15

Dustin Byfuglien?

Really? This is what these guys dreamed of as kids. To think they are lacking anything for these games is ludicrous. Winning NEVER gets old.
- Elbows15

Correct. At this point it's mind overcoming the body saying no.