I may be in the minority here But I feel Crow needs to play a lot to be sharp ,he is a horse .But over his last 8 straight and 4 in 6 nights he should have been given a break ,maybe the Buffalo day game . Coach Q is a master ,but his goalie rotation is sometimes a mystery .Good to see the Captain snipe the winner last night .That's 4 GWG in the last 11 I think ,not that it is important or anything ..
- oldduffman

He has been. 9 straight starts prior to last night. Ever a horse needs a night off.

He has been. 9 straight starts prior to last night. Ever a horse needs a night off.
- philco28

Agreed . Id go every other game for the next 2 weeks. Get crow the middle season rest and get Darling back on track .

If this is the roster that plays in MAy then Crow needs a bit of a rest now

Agreed . Id go every other game for the next 2 weeks. Get crow the middle season rest and get Darling back on track .

If this is the roster that plays in MAy then Crow needs a bit of a rest now
- mrpaulish

This is the ideal time for that

I think: add in TB, if they can get back to where they were last year - that was a pretty good team. And Mobtreal, if Price and Gallagher come back whole.

And, in any individual series, St. Louis and Nashville will cause any team problems, no matter their past play-off history.
- StLBravesFan

From what I have watched it"s any playoff team from the Central (St Loius,Dallas,Minnie and Chicago plus LA and Washington) Not sure Montreal is there yet. Also impressed with Florida.

Agreed . Id go every other game for the next 2 weeks. Get crow the middle season rest and get Darling back on track .

If this is the roster that plays in MAy then Crow needs a bit of a rest now
- mrpaulish

Agreed-- very busy schedule this month with 3 back to backs-- I would guess that Darling gets plenty of game time this month at least-- Hawks will see what they have going forward--

Im curious what the next move is with the cap and LTIR designation for Kruger--

Maybe Bickell is still here because his cap hit benefits the process? Why is Mashinter glued to the roster? Are they both back in Rockford as part of a cap clearing move for a 1LW or D?

I'd like to see more speed infused into the roster --

I have been talking up Danault for a long time and there was NEVER any doubt he'd be a good NHL player. He has already in short time gotten to where I thought he projected (L3-C). Without him, our team would be in a bit of a mess, but he has stabilized first the fourth line after Krug went down and has now added to our third line. His leadership, character, heart, tenacity and just raw skating talent can't be denied. SOOOO happy we did not move him. He's in Chicago for the next few years. NO ONE projects into L3-C anytime soon, so he's the man.

Oh yea, LOVE ME some #52. While the drafting has been meh over the last few years had we snagged Panarin and Gus in "the draft" that would have been considered major wins.

Scuderi. Another sorry trade. Getting Daley was costly but then you gave him away for a guy Pittsburgh would have probably wanted to just cut anyway. NO WAY the Hawks couldn't have gotten a 6th rounder for him? Another "makes no sense" trade. Scuderi NEVER fit UNLESS it was as a 'backup plan' for Rosy (which it still may be)

Toews bashing. I read the game thread earlier this morning and restricting myself from calling out the absolute morans beating this guy up. The guy has been in Chicago for what 8 years now and has done NOTHING but inspire greatness from his team, helped bring us 3 Cups, been arguably the finest leader the NHL has seen since Mess or Yzerman and has a 2 and a half month stretch where he isn't producing quite at his historic clip and he takes a royal beating? Even comparisons to Bickell were made? This defies logic. LET ME KNOW when Toews gives NO effort, floats, plays like he doesn't care THEN and ONLY then can such asinine comparisons be made. Was sweet to see 19 end that one last night

Forsling. Watched the WJ game and I like him. However, he did get out skated on one of of Canadas goals. Seemed to be coasting. Poor play. However, I liked his instincts a lot, he wasn't afraid of a strong forecheck and had good command on the powerplay for the Swedes. THIS trade may eventually be one of those good ones for Stan. Speaking of Canada...and I love that country, but I had to LMAO at their fans rousing cheering of HUGE hits on Swedes despite having their ass kicked on the scoreboard. This is the meathead mentality I can't stand. Sweden outskated and outplayed them...Canada got in the big hits. Who won? Exactly. Sign me up a Swedish player ANY DAY (as long as his name isn't Rundblad)

Defense. I am STILL not convinced it is as good as last year (minus JO), but I do think it IS deeper. Give me Gus + Rosy any day over kimo + cumiskey or whatever the hell we were running out there last playoffs. Hawks CAN NOT rely on top 4 to play the minutes they did last year.

The only real missing piece right now may be the winger to slide in with 19 and 81. If we can't get that then a top 4 guy to further improve our depth would be an option. Which is harder to get? Adding EITHER would vault the Hawks into the top 3 or 4 candidates in the West (right now we're merely top 8). Get both and the Hawks could be odds on favorite AGAIN. Doubt we can get both and it SOUNDS like L1-LW is the option. However, I STILL BELIEVE Dano or TT could be that guy, though playing the offside seems to be an issue there. Which sounds like a trade could make sense.

Anisimov. While I love to brag about my confidence in Phil Danault, I missed it on Anisimov. I was wrong. He has been the best 2nd center the Hawks have had maybe since when? Sure, he's playing with two video-game esque talents, but he is producing and playing his part. He is on pace for 25 goals, which would be phenomenal.

Darling softies. So what. It happens. I am totally on the Crow wagon and NO he won't be traded this year, but next summer he very much IS a candidate to be moved. The cap isn't going anywhere...and if Saad, Sharp, Ladd, Buff, Niemi, etc...(not to mention Wayne G) can be traded so too can Crow. Though he is an absolute MUST KEEP if the Hawks are to win another Cup this year.

Last note. NHL has had a chance to bury the Hawks and are failing. Be it stand on head goalie performances by Crow, be it the 3v3 gimmick, be it the powerplay..the fact is the Hawks have been floudering, playing inconsistent, shuffling in every player and their cousin to figure out combinations. THIS IS THE TIME the Hawks needed to be dumped into the tank, but alas there they sit....solidly in a playoff spot, still sorting out things, still finding the right chemistry and combinations. Imagine when they do? Could it be around April?

I have been talking up Danault for a long time and there was NEVER any doubt he'd be a good NHL player. He has already in short time gotten to where I thought he projected (L3-C). Without him, our team would be in a bit of a mess, but he has stabilized first the fourth line after Krug went down and has now added to our third line. His leadership, character, heart, tenacity and just raw skating talent can't be denied. SOOOO happy we did not move him. He's in Chicago for the next few years. NO ONE projects into L3-C anytime soon, so he's the man.

Oh yea, LOVE ME some #52. While the drafting has been meh over the last few years had we snagged Panarin and Gus in "the draft" that would have been considered major wins.

Scuderi. Another sorry trade. Getting Daley was costly but then you gave him away for a guy Pittsburgh would have probably wanted to just cut anyway. NO WAY the Hawks couldn't have gotten a 6th rounder for him? Another "makes no sense" trade. Scuderi NEVER fit UNLESS it was as a 'backup plan' for Rosy (which it still may be)

Toews bashing. I read the game thread earlier this morning and restricting myself from calling out the absolute morans beating this guy up. The guy has been in Chicago for what 8 years now and has done NOTHING but inspire greatness from his team, helped bring us 3 Cups, been arguably the finest leader the NHL has seen since Mess or Yzerman and has a 2 and a half month stretch where he isn't producing quite at his historic clip and he takes a royal beating? Even comparisons to Bickell were made? This defies logic. LET ME KNOW when Toews gives NO effort, floats, plays like he doesn't care THEN and ONLY then can such asinine comparisons be made. Was sweet to see 19 end that one last night

Forsling. Watched the WJ game and I like him. However, he did get out skated on one of of Canadas goals. Seemed to be coasting. Poor play. However, I liked his instincts a lot, he wasn't afraid of a strong forecheck and had good command on the powerplay for the Swedes. THIS trade may eventually be one of those good ones for Stan. Speaking of Canada...and I love that country, but I had to LMAO at their fans rousing cheering of HUGE hits on Swedes despite having their ass kicked on the scoreboard. This is the meathead mentality I can't stand. Sweden outskated and outplayed them...Canada got in the big hits. Who won? Exactly. Sign me up a Swedish player ANY DAY (as long as his name isn't Rundblad)

Defense. I am STILL not convinced it is as good as last year (minus JO), but I do think it IS deeper. Give me Gus + Rosy any day over kimo + cumiskey or whatever the hell we were running out there last playoffs. Hawks CAN NOT rely on top 4 to play the minutes they did last year.

The only real missing piece right now may be the winger to slide in with 19 and 81. If we can't get that then a top 4 guy to further improve our depth would be an option. Which is harder to get? Adding EITHER would vault the Hawks into the top 3 or 4 candidates in the West (right now we're merely top 8). Get both and the Hawks could be odds on favorite AGAIN. Doubt we can get both and it SOUNDS like L1-LW is the option. However, I STILL BELIEVE Dano or TT could be that guy, though playing the offside seems to be an issue there. Which sounds like a trade could make sense.

Anisimov. While I love to brag about my confidence in Phil Danault, I missed it on Anisimov. I was wrong. He has been the best 2nd center the Hawks have had maybe since when? Sure, he's playing with two video-game esque talents, but he is producing and playing his part. He is on pace for 25 goals, which would be phenomenal.

Darling softies. So what. It happens. I am totally on the Crow wagon and NO he won't be traded this year, but next summer he very much IS a candidate to be moved. The cap isn't going anywhere...and if Saad, Sharp, Ladd, Buff, Niemi, etc...(not to mention Wayne G) can be traded so too can Crow. Though he is an absolute MUST KEEP if the Hawks are to win another Cup this year.

Last note. NHL has had a chance to bury the Hawks and are failing. Be it stand on head goalie performances by Crow, be it the 3v3 gimmick, be it the powerplay..the fact is the Hawks have been floudering, playing inconsistent, shuffling in every player and their cousin to figure out combinations. THIS IS THE TIME the Hawks needed to be dumped into the tank, but alas there they sit....solidly in a playoff spot, still sorting out things, still finding the right chemistry and combinations. Imagine when they do? Could it be around April?
- kwolf68

I rarely read these long posts but this one was worth the read. Well said. Saw Danault play a lot in Moncton. Great skater,has heart and a Hockey IQ. Hoping for a Rockford replacement for Bickell and agree on the Daley move. Don't get it.

Just wondering what would have to be done to take advantage of Krugs LTIR, and other moves to get as much cap space as possible.

It took a bunch of moves on Hockeys cap, but was able to squeeze up to 3 mil in cap space.

So it is possible to get to that much, a roster player going in the trade (remember a roster player at this point in time may be a Rockford guy who has a low number and is up to keep as much space available as possible) as say 3.5 - 3.75 in a trade.

I assuming, no one will take Bickell of course.

It would be interesting to see financial ramifications to keeping 50% of his salary as opposed to buying him out this summer.

Ok. First off , read what the "comparisons" are being made. Nothing to do with talent (which is your fault if you read it that way, not mine) but in not living up to CURRENT CONTRACT

How is is asinine to think that a guy that demanded 10mil per year is not playing like a 10mil dollar player THIS YEAR??

And he never produced at historic pace, lol. He was a 70+ point guy on pace for 50pts. He nearly doubled his salary but is producing at 20% less.

Fan-f-ing- tastic about his leadership and helped win cups. Kudos to him. Well, Bickell DID help this team win the second cup (some could even say more so than Toews, who being the greatest leader since Mess and Yzerman had to be lectured in game by Seabrook). But as Bickell didn't live up to his massive 16mil dollar contract he signed afterwards (when he previously made 2mil for Chicago his first 4yrs) - I'm sorry it hurts feelings but right now Toews isn't living up to the 80mil he is signed for RIGHT NOW

If he needed Saad so badly, maybe he should have signed for less to keep him. He didn't. He wanted to he paid as the top player in the league which comes with high expectations which for me means more than winning 6 out of 10 faceoffs and hustling.

I rarely read these long posts but this one was worth the read. Well said. Saw Danault play a lot in Moncton. Great skater,has heart and a Hockey IQ. Hoping for a Rockford replacement for Bickell and agree on the Daley move. Don't get it.
- Colbyboy

I am another one who still does not understand the Daley move. Scuderi is totally useless just like the Pens fans said he was. Whoever scouted and recommended him should be fired. Scuderi and Bickell should be played as much as possible. The only hope we have with those cap hits is that one or both gets injured long term.

The only benefit of the Scuderi move was the cap savings. He has been done for the past 4yrs

Hopefully it will pay off with the money saved at the trade deadline

I am another one who still does not understand the Daley move. Scuderi is totally useless just like the Pens fans said he was. Whoever scouted and recommended him should be fired. Scuderi and Bickell should be played as much as possible. The only hope we have with those cap hits is that one or both gets injured long term.
- 67hawks

What happened the last few games with Scuderi? He had a good first few games here, I feel like. Did he just get burned by a fast Colorado team? Could Scuderi be useful against a team like LA that is not so fast?

What happened the last few games with Scuderi? He had a good first few games here, I feel like. Did he just get burned by a fast Colorado team? Could Scuderi be useful against a team like LA that is not so fast?
- DMChi2010

No, he sucked before he got to Chicago. Daley was a whipping boy that everyone wanted gone so badly they tried seeing Scuderi through rose colored glasses. But he is awful. Immobile, can't pass the puck at all

Ok. First off , read what the "comparisons" are being made. Nothing to do with talent (which is your fault if you read it that way, not mine) but in not living up to CURRENT CONTRACT

How is is asinine to think that a guy that demanded 10mil per year is not playing like a 10mil dollar player THIS YEAR??

And he never produced at historic pace, lol. He was a 70+ point guy on pace for 50pts. He nearly doubled his salary but is producing at 20% less.

Fan-f-ing- tastic about his leadership and helped win cups. Kudos to him. Well, Bickell DID help this team win the second cup (some could even say more so than Toews, who being the greatest leader since Mess and Yzerman had to be lectured in game by Seabrook). But as Bickell didn't live up to his massive 16mil dollar contract he signed afterwards (when he previously made 2mil for Chicago his first 4yrs) - I'm sorry it hurts feelings but right now Toews isn't living up to the 80mil he is signed for RIGHT NOW

If he needed Saad so badly, maybe he should have signed for less to keep him. He didn't. He wanted to he paid as the top player in the league which comes with high expectations which for me means more than winning 6 out of 10 faceoffs and hustling.
- PatShart

Dude, stop. We get it. Toews can be criticized for not putting up points but you are the one comparing him to Bickell. To say he did more than Toews to win a cup is really short sghted and asinine. And to be so dismissive of what #19 brings to the table night in and night out really hurts your credibility. Yes, he needs to play better offensively but stop making him out to be a greedy hustle player who is stealing from the Hawks.

I am another one who still does not understand the Daley move. Scuderi is totally useless just like the Pens fans said he was. Whoever scouted and recommended him should be fired. Scuderi and Bickell should be played as much as possible. The only hope we have with those cap hits is that one or both gets injured long term.
- 67hawks

Daley asked for a trade and Stan got another crappy D-man who is cheaper. He will spell Rozy occasionally and that is fine. When its money time, Rozy will be out there.

No, he sucked before he got to Chicago. Daley was a whipping boy that everyone wanted gone so badly they tried seeing Scuderi through rose colored glasses. But he is awful. Immobile, can't pass the puck at all
- PatShart

Daley sucks. And cost more. Daley can't pass either. He can skate though. Hope he enjoys Pittsburgh.

Daley sucks. And cost more. Daley can't pass either. He can skate though. Hope he enjoys Pittsburgh.
- TTtime

Yep, Daley's passing/lack thereof was really the only thing I was most disappointed in

It may have improved during time/with timing but if they thought the cap savings was more valuable, so be it

But Scuderi is a disaster that shouldn't see much more of the NHL ice

Dude, stop. We get it. Toews can be criticized for not putting up points but you are the one comparing him to Bickell. To say he did more than Toews to win a cup is really short sghted and asinine. And to be so dismissive of what #19 brings to the table night in and night out really hurts your credibility. Yes, he needs to play better offensively but stop making him out to be a greedy hustle player who is stealing from the Hawks.
- Kentxo

I care less if you think I'm losing credibility

To think Bickell wasn't a big player in that second Cup is what is asinine

And the ONLY comparison I've made between the two is both signed contracts that neither are living up to right now. That's a fact and sorry it hurts feelings

Daley asked for a trade and Stan got another crappy D-man who is cheaper. He will spell Rozy occasionally and that is fine. When its money time, Rozy will be out there.
- TTtime

Rozy looks like an all star alongside him.

Daley sucks. And cost more. Daley can't pass either. He can skate though. Hope he enjoys Pittsburgh.
- TTtime

He seems to be getting a lot of ice time with Pittsburgh.

Rozy looks like an all star alongside him.
- 67hawks

Nothing wrong with Rozy playing as a 6th D-man. Smart, can play the PK. Makes a good first pass. Bangs guys around a bit. He is a good partner for a young guy.

He seems to be getting a lot of ice time with Pittsburgh.
- 67hawks

That probably has more to do with how depleted/bad their D is...but they (PITT) still struggle to get the pucks to their forwards and he won't help that. But he can skate And be involved in the play

He seems to be getting a lot of ice time with Pittsburgh.
- 67hawks

Good for him. I wasn't a fan of him coming here. Neither was Q. He seems incapable of changing the way he plays or doesn't want to. Everyone looked at his year in Dallas last season and thought offense would his strength. Even with that year he averages a whopping 23,6 points a season. Hammer is close to that playing a shutdown role and no PP time.

Daley has also been terrible defensively his whole career.

I care less if you think I'm losing credibility

To think Bickell wasn't a big player in that second Cup is what is asinine

And the ONLY comparison I've made between the two is both signed contracts that neither are living up to right now. That's a fact and sorry it hurts feelings
- PatShart

Mmmmkay. Whatever. I still love you and my feelings are not hurt at all.

Nothing wrong with Rozy playing as a 6th D-man. Smart, can play the PK. Makes a good first pass. Bangs guys around a bit. He is a good partner for a young guy.
- TTtime

Agree and it appears we have our young guy in gus