Sont know if Oduya is here bext year but a start to mext season of 2 7 4 tvr Johns Reilly would be ok.
- mrpaulish

TVR, Reilly, Johns, etc.... Pick whomever you want, NONE of them will be able to replace Oduya. Sure, hopefully they will develop and get better throughout the season as it will be a learning process, but you can look at a player like Seth Jones as an example. He came into the league as a very, very highly rated defenseman, and while he is good and will have most likely a great career in front of him, he STILL makes plenty of mistakes in his own end. The kind of mistakes that everyone here on this board crucifies the D for. The fact of the matter is that it takes young D-men YEARS to develop. Look at Hedman, this is his 6th year.

TVR started the season great. He was also a 6th defenseman, not a 4 or 5. To expect 3 youngsters to fill spots 4-6 without having some major issues is just a pipe dream.

Hawks are 41-14 in Games 4-7 since 2009.

Funny how everyone praises Tampa this much even after a Hawks win last night but quickly forget how good the Hawks are later in series once they figure out opponents. Same thing happened vs Anaheim. Everyone wrote off the Hawks and here they are playing for the Cup. Series is 2-2 fellas R-E-L-A-X
- Assman22

Well said. Last night. An admittedly bad effort yet they hit 2-3 posts and a crossbar. KT almost scored. There may be reason to be concerned about wear and tear on the D finally but a win last night may have been the turning point. Admittedly, either team could easily been up 3-0 going into last night.

They need to come out fresh and score first on Saturday.

Nice write up. If the bolts can get the power play working they can finish . Watching saad not play for my squad makes me saad
- Jordy8

You'll be "saad" the next 3 or 4 years then too probably. Or however long his new contract with Chicago runs.

Well said. Last night. An admittedly bad effort yet they hit 2-3 posts and a crossbar. KT almost scored. There may be reason to be concerned about wear and tear on the D finally but a win last night may have been the turning point. Admittedly, either team could easily be up 3-0.

They need to come out fresh and score first on Saturday.
- tredbrta

But last night was game 4?

Nice write up. If the bolts can get the power play working they can finish . Watching saad not play for my squad makes me saad
- Jordy8

The Hawks PK has something to do with Tampa's PP not working.

TVR, Reilly, Johns, etc.... Pick whomever you want, NONE of them will be able to replace Oduya. Sure, hopefully they will develop and get better throughout the season as it will be a learning process, but you can look at a player like Seth Jones as an example. He came into the league as a very, very highly rated defenseman, and while he is good and will have most likely a great career in front of him, he STILL makes plenty of mistakes in his own end. The kind of mistakes that everyone here on this board crucifies the D for. The fact of the matter is that it takes young D-men YEARS to develop. Look at Hedman, this is his 6th year.

TVR started the season great. He was also a 6th defenseman, not a 4 or 5. To expect 3 youngsters to fill spots 4-6 without having some major issues is just a pipe dream.
- TheTrob

IF Pizza Man doesn't come back (although I really think he will) Johns up with Hammer would be best. Even if he does come back, I'd still rather see Johns up with Hammer and have Oduya take over Rozy's role of veteran 5th d-man with a lesser 6th d-man. Lots of guys vying for that 6th spot too btw. The future is bright and Hawks will reload like great organizations do.

Until then, let's win the Cup again!

Teravainen has been on the power play for the last 3 games.
- BreakoutHockey

I Must have missed it sir. My error sir.

But last night was game 4?
- BlazinMike

Fixed. Meant either team could have easily been up 3-0 going into last night. Last night though, in spite of TBs edge, the conversions and near conversions (thus the posts) favored the Hawks.

Really wish Q would roll 4 lines though. Vermette, Versteeg, and TT around 10 mins or less.

Fixed. Meant either team could have easily been up 3-0 going into last night. Last night though, in spite of TBs edge, the conversions and near conversions (thus the posts) favored the Hawks.
- tredbrta

They've been close. I don't think they're being as outplayed as everyone is saying. Thought last night was a pretty even game. With both teams having extended zone times. TB obviously trapped the Hawks in their D zone for the final 2 minutes or so cause they were pushing hard for the tie. Hawks were in position though to make the necessary plays to keep the puck outta the net.

A few observations I have had:

-Tampa plays great along the boards
-killorn very tenacious and great netfront presence
-stamkos being given limited space but getting close
-kucherov quick and found cherry picking a few times
-would like to see TT on PP
- 93Joe

He was last night.

Another thing he was last night: invisible.

They've been close. I don't think they're being as outplayed as everyone is saying. Thought last night was a pretty even game. With both teams having extended zone times. TB obviously trapped the Hawks in their D zone for the final 2 minutes or so cause they were pushing hard for the tie. Hawks were in position though to make the necessary plays to keep the puck outta the net.
- BlazinMike

Stamkos off the shaft of Seab's stick or else its tied....

The 2013 Hawks Bruins Final had a similar feel to this series. Every time Boston had the puck it felt like they were going to score, yet somehow the Hawks found a way. I don't really see how this series is any different.

Yeah, the Hawks have not played great, yet somehow they are 2-2. The "better", "faster", "harder-working" team this series somehow has nothing to show for it. The Hawks have been able to win when not playing all that great. To me, that should come as a bad sign for the Lightning. If the Hawks can put it all together, which they tend to do as these series get to this point, they will roll.

IF Pizza Man doesn't come back (although I really think he will) Johns up with Hammer would be best. Even if he does come back, I'd still rather see Johns up with Hammer and have Oduya take over Rozy's role of veteran 5th d-man with a lesser 6th d-man. Lots of guys vying for that 6th spot too btw. The future is bright and Hawks will reload like great organizations do.

Until then, let's win the Cup again!
- Assman22

If Oduya does not come back (and unless Versteeg, Bickell, Crawford and Sharp are all traded to free up cap space he won't be back) I see one of the youngsters being paired with Keith, another with Hammer and the last with Seabrook.

Also, I think everyone is forgetting that Rundblad will most likely be back. Now, I've been wrong before, but I think this will happen.

Rundblad, Reilly, TVR and Johns all making the roster as the 4-7 d-men? Ugh. I guess we'll see.

Maybe Erhoff decides to sign for something like $2 million (or less) on a one year to have a chance to win the cup? He's getting paid by Buffalo anyhow so maybe he signs on for cheap?

The 2013 Hawks Bruins Final had a similar feel to this series. Every time Boston had the puck it felt like they were going to score, yet somehow the Hawks found a way. I don't really see how this series is any different.

Yeah, the Hawks have not played great, yet somehow they are 2-2. The "better", "faster", "harder-working" team this series somehow has nothing to show for it. The Hawks have been able to win when not playing all that great. To me, that should come as a bad sign for the Lightning. If the Hawks can put it all together, which they tend to do as these series get to this point, they will roll.
- PuckAndSticks

Hawks whole system starts with their defensemen. And they have 3.5 of them this time, versus 6 then. BIG difference.

He was last night.

Another thing he was last night: invisible.
- John Jaeckel

He also was moved down to the 4th line from puck drop and had minimal ice time. Kruger/Desjardins are very solid players but not exactly the best fit with him.

I dont disagree that Tampa's gap control, board play and removal of time and space is bar-none this playoffs. Saad isnt having much trouble with their tight checking. Why?? Because he is moving his feet and skating. Kane is coasting around all series and does not have the compete level he needs and usually has. I hope he finds it bc with the 88 we have seen games 1-4 it will be tough to find scoring
- EnzoD

Saad can and will play in the tough areas of the ice as well as being capable of playing a finesse game. Kane plays on and is effective only on the periphery and doesn't and has never played in high traffic areas. Saad will skate into tough areas, Kane is looking for open ice and it isn't there.

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST:

Seabrook was battling flu-like symptoms before the game and toughed it out, had to take an IV between periods, teammates were in AWE, from a source.

Not sure there's any easy answer here. Lob pass is hard for tired forwards to catch up to. Clean breakouts aren't there, Tampa forwards are jumping everything.

If Q can design something here, it would be huge.
- John Jaeckel

You have to figure there is a way to expose the suicide pinches here.

How? I dont know, but all i know is the D take a big gamble on those pinches and leave a lot of open ice behind them and their goalie if they misjudge or flat out miss the puck

He also was moved down to the 4th line from puck drop and had minimal ice time. Kruger/Desjardins are very solid players but not exactly the best fit with him.
- BreakoutHockey

Agreed, but where do you put him right now?

Hawks whole system starts with their defensemen. And they have 3.5 of them this time, versus 6 then. BIG difference.
- John Jaeckel

TVR should round into form next game. More practice time with the starters and a couple games under his belt. Don't know if he'll see more ice time, but I think he'll start playing more consistently.

What a battle going on, so fun to watch

If Oduya does not come back (and unless Versteeg, Bickell, Crawford and Sharp are all traded to free up cap space he won't be back)
- MNHawk

I think Bickell, Crawford and Sharp WILL all be gone. Versteeg? sure, but I don't think its his 2.2mil that's the tipping point in bringing Oduya back. If you can get Oduya for a song, you take him.

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST:

Seabrook was battling flu-like symptoms before the game and toughed it out, had to take an IV between periods, teammates were in AWE, from a source.
- John Jaeckel

That sucks. Hope he doesn't infect the rest of the guys. Way to tough it out though if its true.

If Oduya does not come back (and unless Versteeg, Bickell, Crawford and Sharp are all traded to free up cap space he won't be back) I see one of the youngsters being paired with Keith, another with Hammer and the last with Seabrook.

Also, I think everyone is forgetting that Rundblad will most likely be back. Now, I've been wrong before, but I think this will happen.

Rundblad, Reilly, TVR and Johns all making the roster as the 4-7 d-men? Ugh. I guess we'll see.

Maybe Erhoff decides to sign for something like $2 million (or less) on a one year to have a chance to win the cup? He's getting paid by Buffalo anyhow so maybe he signs on for cheap?
- MNHawk

I like Erhoff as a player for $2mil but he is one hit away from LTIR. He has a concussion history now and this will be his last "big deal". I dont see him in the Indianhead sweater. Though I do agree with breaking up the Big 3 with the infusion of youth on the back-end next year.

Something like

Keith-Johns
Reilly-Seabs
Hammer-TVR

Rundblad, Pokka, Veteran on league minimum

If you can have one of 2, 7, 4 on the ice for an entire regular season game, I like the Hawks chances of being a playoff team again next year.

Agreed, but where do you put him right now?
- John Jaeckel

Any chance they put him in the press box with Bickell and put Nordy on the 4th line with Krugs/Desjardins?

FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST:

Seabrook was battling flu-like symptoms before the game and toughed it out, had to take an IV between periods, teammates were in AWE, from a source.
- John Jaeckel

And to think that he had just enough energy to poke his stick out in front of that Stamkos shot to barely deflect it to the side of the net, talk about a game of inches.