Where's OGI?

LMAO when I realize I havent seen a post from him in a while? Like a misbehaving 3rd grader (I know a bit about that), I'm asking myself when I don't see him out at recess... "did he get sent to detention again"?

I know it's sacrilege to criticize Toews and Hossa here but here we go...

Is it just me or are those two taking a lot more lazy/dumb penalties than normal? I'm not talking about "whoops, accidental high stick" or "good penalties," so to speak. Seems like this year Hossa is getting called for a lot of hooking penalties after getting caught on the wrong side of a guy.

Toews leads the team in PIM and has basically matched his total from last year (34 vs 36). He just seems like he's playing frustrated, and that frustration is turning into out of character penalties for him.

I'm sure plenty of people will point out the fighting majors he's had which add to that total and how it's part of "muh intangibles" to fire up the team, but let's get real, here. He's not the highest paid player in the league to brawl or play the tough guy.
- roots_gamble

BLASPHEMY! Toews is above any kind of critique, because….Hawkeybuzzers said so! But, I think his 4 Fighting Majors inflate his Penalty Minute totals quite a bit. He probably has the most Major Penalties of anyone on the Hawks this year. This is a public forum for Blackhawks and Hockey fans. You can critique Hossa, Toews, Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Crawford or whoever the heck you like. People may disagree, but debate and discussion is the purpose of this blog. 19 was not earning his $10.5mil salary for a good portion of the season, IMO. He seems to be finding his game, and especially his skating legs, lately. Toews finding his game and finding the scoresheet (along with Crow's unreal play) are two BIG reasons for the Hawks great run over the past month. I hope it continues

I know it's sacrilege to criticize Toews and Hossa here but here we go...

Is it just me or are those two taking a lot more lazy/dumb penalties than normal? I'm not talking about "whoops, accidental high stick" or "good penalties," so to speak. Seems like this year Hossa is getting called for a lot of hooking penalties after getting caught on the wrong side of a guy.

Toews leads the team in PIM and has basically matched his total from last year (34 vs 36). He just seems like he's playing frustrated, and that frustration is turning into out of character penalties for him.

I'm sure plenty of people will point out the fighting majors he's had which add to that total and how it's part of "muh intangibles" to fire up the team, but let's get real, here. He's not the highest paid player in the league to brawl or play the tough guy.
- roots_gamble

It's just you.

Toews has penalties in 10 out of 42 games played. Hossa has penalties in 7 of 37 games played. Not exactly what I would call an onslaught of penalties. They also seem to be dipping lower in the defensive zone to help the D, so subsequently will pick up a few more hooking, slashing, tripping, etc. calls than if they were higher or flying the zone for offensive purposes.

It's just you.

Toews has penalties in 10 out of 42 games played. Hossa has penalties in 7 of 37 games played. Not exactly what I would call an onslaught of penalties. They also seem to be dipping lower in the defensive zone to help the D, so subsequently will pick up a few more hooking, slashing, tripping, etc. calls than if they were higher or flying the zone for offensive purposes.
- TheTrob

Agreed. As the defense gets it's act tightened up I think you find this line concentrating more on offense.

Isnt Marleau going to be traded ?

"What about if the Hawks can solve the LW problem for less cost in both $$ and pick/propects and have that guy play with kane and move 72 up with hossa/toews."
-bogiedoc

Would you take a part off your perfectly running Lamborghini to fix your sputtering Rolls Royce?
- Katana777

great analogy....but why not...if you can resolve your top 6 issues...maybe they don't need 5-6 mil per guy at LW (BTW they had one in saad)...go a bit cheaper and slot him with kane...

kane seems to make anybody (well maybe not) better

It's unfair to have one 88, looks like the Hawks may have two.

It's unfair to have one 88, looks like the Hawks may have two.
- Wagsman999

Let's not get ahead of ourselves! We have a very nice rookie.

Here are his contract bonus clauses, in case anyone cares.


http://www.generalfanager.com/players/2097

- Hossa1881

Wow -- Schedule B bonuses include the majority of the money $1.725M for any number of trophies OR TOP 10 SCORING IN THE LEAGUE.

He's tied for 10th now... that's a huge bonus on next year's cap.

It's just you.

Toews has penalties in 10 out of 42 games played. Hossa has penalties in 7 of 37 games played. Not exactly what I would call an onslaught of penalties. They also seem to be dipping lower in the defensive zone to help the D, so subsequently will pick up a few more hooking, slashing, tripping, etc. calls than if they were higher or flying the zone for offensive purposes.
- TheTrob

Exactly. Hossa's hooking penalty yesterday took away a prime scoring opportunity from a guy free in the slot. And it wasn't his guy he hooked.

Wow -- Schedule B bonuses include the majority of the money $1.725M for any number of trophies OR TOP 10 SCORING IN THE LEAGUE.

He's tied for 10th now... that's a huge bonus on next year's cap.
- DMChi2010

Happy to pay it . Bring wins this year. Worry about next year next year

Kerby Rychel is another one that supposedly asked to be traded.

Kerby Rychel is another one that supposedly asked to be traded.
- walleyeb1

And someone else can have him. He is slow and makes terrible decisions on the ice. He goons it up enough he should be a Torts favorite and can't even impress him.

Slightly off topic, but it's really been a pleasure to watch Kane play with some top caliber line mates this year (as well as consistent line mates) and fully reach his potential. It also really makes his previous years when he was playing with Handzus, an older Brad Richards, and a rotation of wingers that much more impressive.

I haven't looked recently, but I think he's approaching PPG for his career which is really impressive in this era, especially considering some of his line mates as well as a down year when Q tried the unsuccessful experiment with him at C.

Finally, as inconsistent and frustrating as this team has been at times they're now 3rd in the league in pts and not that far behind Dallas and the Caps. Hopefully they don't take their foot off the gas and can use the second half of this season to plug some holes, tune up, and get ready for what's hopefully another long playoff run.

Wow -- Schedule B bonuses include the majority of the money $1.725M for any number of trophies OR TOP 10 SCORING IN THE LEAGUE.

He's tied for 10th now... that's a huge bonus on next year's cap.
- DMChi2010

Isn't it only 1 type of bonus that counts against the cap - but which is it - Schedule A or Schedule B?

Slightly off topic, but it's really been a pleasure to watch Kane play with some top caliber line mates this year (as well as consistent line mates) and fully reach his potential. It also really makes his previous years when he was playing with Handzus, an older Brad Richards, and a rotation of wingers that much more impressive.

I haven't looked recently, but I think he's approaching PPG for his career which is really impressive in this era, especially considering some of his line mates as well as a down year when Q tried the unsuccessful experiment with him at C.

Finally, as inconsistent and frustrating as this team has been at times they're now 3rd in the league in pts and not that far behind Dallas and the Caps. Hopefully they don't take their foot off the gas and can use the second half of this season to plug some holes, tune up, and get ready for what's hopefully another long playoff run.
- Coca

Can't wait for that SC final.

And someone else can have him. He is slow and makes terrible decisions on the ice. He goons it up enough he should be a Torts favorite and can't even impress him.
- tredbrta

Pass on Rychel. Ugh.

Pass on Rychel. Ugh.
- John Jaeckel

Wiz called it on Rychel early. Looks like a bust or at least a reach... If you can't make that roster?

Exactly. Hossa's hooking penalty yesterday took away a prime scoring opportunity from a guy free in the slot. And it wasn't his guy he hooked.
- scottak

Agreed here. The more time spent defending in general, the higher the odds of taking a penalty. This line hasn't been as dominating at owning the puck and I think it is fair to say spent a bit more time this year chasing.

From a purely numerical point of view (Not able to go back and breakdown good vs bad penalties), Hossa has taken about as many minor penalties as is average for him. (which is about 1 every 6 games) Toews has taken a few more, but his 12 minor penalties isn't exactly a huge amount. He probably would have taken 8-9 penalties by now typically and probably maybe a few of them weren't the best but not a huge swing. Probably a lot of it is just luck (good or bad) and what the refs are calling on a given night as well.

just my 2 cents.

chips = чипсы

Knowledge is Power!
- BURDA13

Provided by Google Translate?

Oh an LeTang, nice work. Takes a real man to to finally try to lay a big hit when the game is lost.

-acmidd28

Also looked like after he made the hip check (which it's almost a stretch to call it that) he then threw out his right leg to make sure he tripped Panarin b/c Panarin saw the hit coming. Letang was also borderline leaving his feet. Maybe it was just me, they didn't say anything about it on the broadcast, but I thought those were the chickencrap parts of the hit.

Oh an LeTang, nice work. Takes a real man to to finally try to lay a big hit when the game is lost.

-acmidd28

Also looked like after he made the hip check (which it's almost a stretch to call it that) he then threw out his right leg to make sure he tripped Panarin b/c Panarin saw the hit coming. Letang was also borderline leaving his feet. Maybe it was just me, they didn't say anything about it on the broadcast, but I thought those were the chickencrap parts of the hit.
- 1mbecker

You saw what I saw. The leg went out after he lunged at Breadman.

You saw what I saw. The leg went out after he lunged at Breadman.
- powerenforcer

Obvious they were trying to take him out.

You saw what I saw. The leg went out after he lunged at Breadman.
- powerenforcer

Perron and Hornqvist were playing chippy the whole game. Letang saved his garbage for late.

Did Bickell even have a hit? One would think a guy trying to keep his job would step up as a "role player" to overshadow the obvious physical limitations.

Perron and Hornqvist were playing chippy the whole game. Letang saved his garbage for late.

Did Bickell even have a hit? One would think a guy trying to keep his job would step up as a "role player" to overshadow the obvious physical limitations.
- tredbrta

The only hit I saw (more than once) was his ass hitting the ice. It doesn't look like he has any strength in his legs. He had a pretty telling interview with Goff and Spiegs about a month ago which he kind of revealed some of the demons he's dealt with/is dealing with. His temperament just isn't suited for playing at less than 100% which is where he's been for a while. It sucks to watch this happen to a player so young.