I totally agree Darth. One could argue that we traded Saad for Anisimov and Ladd. Essentially we got what Anisimov, Dano and Morin. Morin was I believe released then we moved Dano for Ladd. Dano may very well have a nice career in Winipeg however our window is still now. Kane is having a career year and I feel that Anisimov is as much to credit for that as is the "Breadman". Then bring back a former Captain who can play in all situations and on our top line. Nothing but praise to Stan for these moves.Yes Saad would have been nice to keep, but we are a deeper and better team up front now than we would be with him.
- MNHawksfan

And it's not like Stan just cut him loose either. He wanted Saad here. He tried all season to extend Saad, and Saad shut down negotiations until after the playoffs. And then apparently let his agent handle everything without his approval, and his agent said 6mil/year or we sign an offer sheet

ETA: I think we got Panik for Morin

What's the definition of insanity?
- rnewman291

Recalling Rundblad, the possibility of Mash playing, your call.

Tim Peel made the playoff cut. Discuss amongst yourselves
- Jason Millen

Hope he stays away from our series

Recalling Rundblad, the possibility of Mash playing, your call.
- 93Joe

This will be a series I dont think we can fall behind in. If we come back down 2-0, I would be really concerned. Thats why Q needs to have the best 12 forwards out there for game 1 puck drop.

>#16 will be line 1 LW
>#53 will be pressboxed
>Weise will be pressboxed
>#14 will be in -- probably with TT & #12
>Things Hawks must do to win the series
>Defend well below the goal line
>Pick up the late trailer into the Hawks OZ
>Get pucks to the net as often as possible
>Win battle of the slot at both ends

If it's another Q jedi mind trick, I think it's working.
Let's see:
Mash in on 3rd line. CHECK
Weise out. CHECK
Rasmussen sent down. CHECK
Bickell (ignore this move)
Rundblad recalled. CHECK

Somebody call the men in the white coats for me.
Q and company have lost their minds.
- savvyone-1

I hear you Savvy. Patience. Let's see how it plays out. If Rundblad actually sees the ice, I'll be right there with you female doging uncontrollably on the ledge.

>#16 will be line 1 LW
>#53 will be pressboxed
>Weise will be pressboxed
>#14 will be in -- probably with TT & #12
>Things Hawks must do to win the series
>Defend well below the goal line
>Pick up the late trailer into the Hawks OZ
>Get pucks to the net as often as possible
>Win battle of the slot at both ends
- SnapitUpstairs

This is a good list. I would add that the Hawks must find a way to carry the puck into the o-zone. They have struggled to get possession when having to dump it in

This is a good list. I would add that the Hawks must find a way to carry the puck into the o-zone. They have struggled to get possession when having to dump it in
- etchtech

Because nobody wants to go get it. Kinda why Bowman got Weise... A taylor made dump/chase forward.

>#16 will be line 1 LW
>#53 will be pressboxed
>Weise will be pressboxed
>#14 will be in -- probably with TT & #12
>Things Hawks must do to win the series
>Defend well below the goal line
>Pick up the late trailer into the Hawks OZ
>Get pucks to the net as often as possible
>Win battle of the slot at both ends
- SnapitUpstairs

Yes, yes, yes, and ... yes.

Recalling Rundblad, the possibility of Mash playing, your call.
- 93Joe

Is death an option?

Nothing, necessarily, but has he even been given a chance to gain a foothold and get comfortable with any linemates? I know you say to forget Mashinter, but I think that's the point we're all making. We can't understand why he, in particular, is playing ahead of Weise. At least there is a book on Weise RS and PO that would say he should be the better player. This year:

Mash 41 games, 5 points, -7, avg 7:29 TOI
Weise (MTL) 56 games, 26 points, 0
(CHI) 15 games, 1 point, +4, avg 9:56 TOI

ETA: And rumor has it, he and Fleischmann have great chemistry. If they make each other better, why continue to keep them apart?
- pdx2ord

As I said Shaw and Hossa in, Weise out. Same script as Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin read from. Its Q telling Weise he's not impressed. Weise should be used to it, Tortorella told him the same thing in Vancouver.

Why Mashinter in for Game 1 - no answer for you other than Q probably expects Reaves to play so both of them can waste our time watching a meaningless scrap.

As I said Shaw and Hossa in, Weise out. Same script as Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin read from. Its Q telling Weise he's not impressed. Weise should be used to it, Tortorella told him the same thing in Vancouver.

Why Mashinter in for Game 1 - no answer for you other than Q probably expects Reaves to play so both of them can waste our time watching a meaningless scrap.
- RickJ

Sorry but no. Its Q no sense BS games he plays. Weise has been solid his whole career. Mash just rolled up from the Rock and is somehow the teachers pet. There is no other way to look at as we can see Mash has no business being out there.

How can Weise get anything done being yo-yo'd and playing 5 minutes a night?

Q has Mashinter in the lineup and that should make you happy. He is the big tough guy both you and Q think this team needs to be successful. Only problem is Mashinter does not know how to deliver a check, is too slow to get to the player in order to check him and has no hockey skills to bring to the ice
If your Mashinters centerman you are playing as if you are on a penalty kill because your missing a winger
Time for MCD to have a meeting with Q, Stan, Scotty and Smith and make Q justify his actions or just release Mashinter and don't give Q the option to play him
- molly2522

Steve, these guys are on to something here, this is probably another mind fuke byQ, He knows Weise can give more or maybe Weise is trying to figure out what exactly are his boundaries in Q's world. Yes I like that kind of player, but I agree with others that Mashintor is an A player. For THAT role, I would take a guy like Ryan Reaves, he's not gonna hurt ya for his 6-9 minutes a game and he can fight with the best of them if there even is such a thing anymore. Weise puzzles me, Q should just leave him and Fliesh alone. Hopefully Weise is in the 1st game.

So glad mine likes to go to the games and even watch on tv, makes things so much easier in a way.
- Jason Millen

she likes the game hard for her to watch...the ups and downs just wears her nerves out

Well, then - my other thought is (I only get two each day, so this is my "other thought"):

We see the games (most of us) only on TV - and only what the camera shows, which is 90% the action around the puck, even on replays. We don't see what happens well behind - or ahead of - the play. The coaches - and front office - probably spend half their time watching video of games, all angles, all activity by each player on the ice.

The coaches / front office also see all of the practices - again, we don't.

They see much more of each skater than we do - how they skate, how they react to situations around the puck and away from it, how they react to opposition, how they match up with certain teams, how they probably will react in various situations.

Perhaps they see things we can't and don't.
- StLBravesFan

right...we see the tip of the iceberg...they see the whole damn thing...which why i get frustrated with all this dumping on stanbow about sharp, oduya, etc...we see only small pieces of the puzzle...enough stupid metaphors

Blues in 5
- rubberduckies

i will raise you preds in 4

What's the definition of insanity?
- rnewman291

Being a Blues fan ....

Is death an option?
- John Jaeckel

Facing those other two options, one would hope so

Sorry but no. Its Q no sense BS games he plays. Weise has been solid his whole career. Mash just rolled up from the Rock and is somehow the teachers pet. There is no other way to look at as we can see Mash has no business being out there.

How can Weise get anything done being yo-yo'd and playing 5 minutes a night?
- z1990z

Like me, you have no idea what has gone on between the coaching staff and Weise and what he hasn't been doing that they want. If it were my choice I would have put Mashinter and Bickell on the same Greyhound bus to Rockford, kept Rasmussen up and dressed him Wednesday and press boxed Weise anyway. If Shaw demonstrates he can't perform due to injury effects, Weise will eventually play.

Well, then - my other thought is (I only get two each day, so this is my "other thought"):

We see the games (most of us) only on TV - and only what the camera shows, which is 90% the action around the puck, even on replays. We don't see what happens well behind - or ahead of - the play. The coaches - and front office - probably spend half their time watching video of games, all angles, all activity by each player on the ice.

The coaches / front office also see all of the practices - again, we don't.

They see much more of each skater than we do - how they skate, how they react to situations around the puck and away from it, how they react to opposition, how they match up with certain teams, how they probably will react in various situations.

Perhaps they see things we can't and don't.
- StLBravesFan

That is a very good point. We all know we have no idea what is going on behind closed doors in the organization, but I forget that the coaches are seeing a lot more of the players off the puck than those of us watching on tv. Perhaps Mash is doing something behind the play that Q really likes, feels Weise can't bring, and we aren't seeing. I very much hope that is the case. Otherwise I might have a stroke seeing 53 suit up for game 1

As I said Shaw and Hossa in, Weise out. Same script as Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin read from. Its Q telling Weise he's not impressed. Weise should be used to it, Tortorella told him the same thing in Vancouver.

Why Mashinter in for Game 1 - no answer for you other than Q probably expects Reaves to play so both of them can waste our time watching a meaningless scrap.
- RickJ

Did they already announce the lines for Gm 1?

https://www.nhl.com/news/...n-stanley-cup/c-280224214

I wish they had asked why on earth they sent down Rasmussen over Mashinter

Or even if they had just asked Q to explain what impact Mashinter has made at all. What is Q seeing that literally everyone else is not?
- maria_wyeth

Q choked away 1st in the West.

Q choked away 1st in the West.
- philco28

Well they still have home ice against any pacific division team if they make it to the WCF, but he certainly choked away 1st in central

Q choked away 1st in the West.
- philco28

Bold statement. The hard headed Q who is now facing increasing scrutiny on his lineup decisions, as he should. But let's face it. The Stars were much better all season long. And I won't point out those embarrassing head-to-head match ups.

And still, the Stars get dismissed because of their defense and inconsistent goaltending. Let's put it this way, I'm glad the Hawks are playing the Blows in the first round.