I've seen the light - Sikura sux and has single handedly brought the season to the brink of ruin.

Did I do that right?

If you’re referring to 9/11 - that was 17 1/2 years ago.

The Hawks fans cheering during the anthem goes back to the first Gulf war in 1991 at the All Star game, IIRC.

My issue (beside playing the anthem at every mundane sporting event) is with Cornellison’s overly dramatic, over-the-top, slow but shouted performance - saying “hey, look at me doing this”.

Manufactured flag waving isn’t patriotism.
- StLBravesFan

You're probably right. A marketing ploy. The same as grieving alongside family members you actually never met or knew. Six billion dollar industries usually don't exude a humanitarian impulse. They want you to continue purchasing their product so the wheels of industry continue to roll smoothly.

NO, NO NO.....I will emphatically disagree with this. You are not looking at the long term affect of this entire organization but simply looking at winning one game ? Look long term please.

This team has been soft for years and a bunch of nice guys too long. Yes thankfully they've won 3 Stanley Cups but since the 2010 team that included Burish, Eager, Buff, Ladd, Bolland, and a youger Seabrook, this team has relatively nobody to make the opposition fear. And anybody that has played hockey at any level understands this. Teams waltz into UC knowing that they are playing the easiest team in the NHL, toughness wise. I'm not only talking about fighting, I'm talking about TEAM toughness and standing up and making a statement to your opponent. Last nights display after Gudas sucker job proves my point. Kunitz needed to IMMEDIATELY drop the gloves and put an end to these types of bullying tactics on this team and organization in general. His lack of response is the reason why teams have NO FEAR playing our Blackhawks, and probably the reason we have NO dominance on home ice. I am sick of it !!
Standing up for yourself and your team mates is essential in the NHL. Without it, teams laugh at you under their breath.

Now that I (we) have all blamed Quenneville for the recent disastrous and disappointing 4 consecutive seasons, maybe that was incorrect ? How can an organization that has 3 Hall of Famers currently in Kane, Toews, and Keith continue to falter and disappoint ? And I'll add Hossa and Quenneville to these past 10 years as well. Thas 5 probable Hall of famers.

Lastly, as many of you know, I am a 55 year season ticket holder. I was 9 years old in 1963 when my dad purchased 4 center ice mezzanine tickets for 3.00 apiece. Now in 100 level center ice, these tickets are thousands and thousands of dollars and quite honestly, it's just not worth it much longer.

As somebody posted the question yesterday on who's renewing ? YES, we are renewing for One Last Season.

I'm going to give Mr. Wirtz one last attempt to change this team over into a group of players, coaches, and managers that show a different type of intensity, determination, and eagerness to stand up with some toughness and heart, because without it, next year will be our last year......along with hoards of other season ticket holders as well. Count on it !!
- Hawkytalk

Nice post!!! The 2010 team in my eyes was one of the best teams
of all time, they just wore you down period by period, shift by shift
it was so (frank)ing awesome to watch.

You must have missed Gary Bettman's message when he was asked about the state of the Ottawa Senators and Eugene Melnyk's ownership. His answer was that all teams go thru cycles - periods of up and periods of down. Nothing to be surprised or worried about. I'm guessing that means Gary still considers the Blackhawks as a dynasty and that there is nothing to worry about in Florida, Arizona and other doormat team locations.

As far as the on ice product in Chicago and in fact most of the NHL - was there a rule passed that I missed that forbids bodychecking and physical play? I watch these games and nobody hits anybody. Many of these games look the the non contact Post Office League where the boys can't get hurt because they need to be delivering mail in the morning.

Players like Radko Gudas, Tom Wilson, Josh Manson, Eric Gudbranson and Robert Bortuzzo might infuriate opposition team fans but they are good for the entertainment value of the NHL game. For that reason I hope the Capitals band and crash their way to another Cup.

Gimme some nasty and vitriol and grudges. If I want to watch the ballet I will buy tickets for that.
- RickJ

Great post, man! One of Eddie's soft serve waffle cones would have survived all the hits along the boards. I'm not digging the new NHL.

I've seen the light - Sikura sux and has single handedly brought the season to the brink of ruin.

Did I do that right?
- EbonyRaptor

You spelled sucks wrong.

Lazerus quotes Keith and Seabrook in his TheAthletic article today that I think sums up this season very well, especially because it comes from the perspective of a veteran core player - "We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve already come a long way.”

Lazerus quotes Keith and Seabrook in his TheAthletic article today that I think sums up this season very well, especially because it comes from the perspective of a veteran core player - "We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve already come a long way.”
- EbonyRaptor

Which basically says, F you! It is what it is. A comment that says absolutely nothing.

Lazerus quotes Keith and Seabrook in his TheAthletic article today that I think sums up this season very well, especially because it comes from the perspective of a veteran core player - "We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve already come a long way.”
- EbonyRaptor

Was a great article, IMO, putting us in the minds of some of our longest-term veterans. Proved some of us who were making assumptions about their motivation level, etc. we’re not that far off the mark.

However, for those of you hoping Keith will waive to go to a contender, seems very unlikely.

@johndietzdh

I asked Brendan Perlini if he thought the pressure of the playoff push was getting to the young Blackhawks.

He turned it around and said he's thinking more of it like a golf tournament. You'd rather be the guy a stroke or two back who's chasing.

Perlini: "(The leader's) got all the pressure. Everyone's watching him. Some guys, they run with it & they go and win. But a lot of those guys the first few holes, the pressure gets to them, & you always see the guys 2nd & 3rd make a few birdies, gets hot – boom – he's rolling."

"If you compare that to where we are, I'd rather be (chasing). Obviously you want to be in, but if you're right there, there's pressure on those teams. ...

"We're like the lion on its prey right now."

=========

Didn’t think it possible, but Perlini is more zen than the latest incarnations of Duncs and Toews

You spelled sucks wrong.
- PatShart

You're the one that said "hickey IQ". I figure Sikura sux was the appropriate interpretation of your post.

Which basically says, F you! It is what it is. A comment that says absolutely nothing.
- powerenforcer

Did you read the article? If yes - that's what your take away was?

Did you read the article? If yes - that's what your take away was?
- EbonyRaptor

No, I based it on just what the poster posted.

No, I based it on just what the poster posted.
- powerenforcer

Ah, well I'm the poster who posted it and since I also read the article allow me to assure you that Keith's quote wasn't akin to a big F you.

You're the one that said "hickey IQ". I figure Sikura sux was the appropriate interpretation of your post.
- Googlyeyes

Maybe Brandon Hagel can become this years Alex Fortin, or better yet Andrew Shaw. Sounds a lot like Highmore, good motor, always going, pays attention to both ends of the ice.

Maybe Brandon Hagel can become this years Alex Fortin, or better yet Andrew Shaw. Sounds a lot like Highmore, good motor, always going, pays attention to both ends of the ice.
- LAHawk

Caggiula is Shaw-like in his edgy play and ability to play a 200 foot game while slotting effectively on any line. Barratt may have similar DNA as well.

Hagel could be like Highmore. Not sure what Hagel's offensive upside is because he put up big numbers as an overager at Red Deer. Agree, though, Hagel does have an endless motor and has been lauded for really working on his defense this season which will help him if he really can't translate his junior offense to the pro level.

Maybe Brandon Hagel can become this years Alex Fortin, or better yet Andrew Shaw. Sounds a lot like Highmore, good motor, always going, pays attention to both ends of the ice.
- LAHawk

The main difference is Hagel was drafted. So, someone saw something in him. I always say beware the overager but he put up some decent numbers along the way.

Caggiula is Shaw-like in his edgy play and ability to play a 200 foot game while slotting effectively on any line. Barratt may have similar DNA as well.

Hagel could be like Highmore. Not sure what Hagel's offensive upside is because he put up big numbers as an overager at Red Deer. Agree, though, Hagel does have an endless motor and has been lauded for really working on his defense this season which will help him if he really can't translate his junior offense to the pro level.
- AEL_Fox

I was just mentioning he was over a PPG his previous two seasons. So his offense didn't come out of nowhere.

Caligula isn't as skilled as Shaw. Plus, Shaw was better defensively, IMO.

Not to say I don't like what Caligula has brought to the Hawks.

I was just mentioning he was over a PPG his previous two seasons. So his offense didn't come out of nowhere.

Caligula isn't as skilled as Shaw. Plus, Shaw was better defensively, IMO.

Not to say I don't like what Caligula has brought to the Hawks.
- Elbows15

I get what you're saying about Hagel. Highmore had similar offensive output at Saint John sans the 100+ point year that Hagel has this season, so a possible scenario for Hagel is being a top 6 player in the AHL but a bottom 6 player in the NHL (if he makes it that far). That's where his improvement on defense will aid him so he's not just a one-trick pony that is useless if he can't put up points.

Ah, well I'm the poster who posted it and since I also read the article allow me to assure you that Keith's quote wasn't akin to a big F you.
- EbonyRaptor

You have to finish when given an opportunity to play with the big boys. It's great he's getting chances, but he has to convert. That's the issue.

Nobody said he was the reason the season has gone down in flames. That would be the dumpster fire of high priced veteran d men, who are being slotted way ahead of their current ability and a mixture of young guys trying to learn on the job.

People can spin how they have only given up X number of goals over the last few games, yet every game CC is under siege in prime areas.

@johndietzdh

I asked Brendan Perlini if he thought the pressure of the playoff push was getting to the young Blackhawks.

He turned it around and said he's thinking more of it like a golf tournament. You'd rather be the guy a stroke or two back who's chasing.

Perlini: "(The leader's) got all the pressure. Everyone's watching him. Some guys, they run with it & they go and win. But a lot of those guys the first few holes, the pressure gets to them, & you always see the guys 2nd & 3rd make a few birdies, gets hot – boom – he's rolling."

"If you compare that to where we are, I'd rather be (chasing). Obviously you want to be in, but if you're right there, there's pressure on those teams. ...


"We're like the lion on its prey right now."

If he truly believes that, it is one gutsy call. He also could be chain yanking, but why would he throw a ruse out there for no good reason? Intriguing quote.

=========

Didn’t think it possible, but Perlini is more zen than the latest incarnations of Duncs and Toews
- pdx2ord

@johndietzdh

I asked Brendan Perlini if he thought the pressure of the playoff push was getting to the young Blackhawks.

He turned it around and said he's thinking more of it like a golf tournament. You'd rather be the guy a stroke or two back who's chasing.

Perlini: "(The leader's) got all the pressure. Everyone's watching him. Some guys, they run with it & they go and win. But a lot of those guys the first few holes, the pressure gets to them, & you always see the guys 2nd & 3rd make a few birdies, gets hot – boom – he's rolling."

"If you compare that to where we are, I'd rather be (chasing). Obviously you want to be in, but if you're right there, there's pressure on those teams. ...

"We're like the lion on its prey right now."

=========

Didn’t think it possible, but Perlini is more zen than the latest incarnations of Duncs and Toews
- pdx2ord

This seems like a well spun answer. Anyone wants to be in control of their own fate and not have to rely on "help". So if the Hawks were IN right now hed have a different answer.

Nothing to see here......move along.

I was just mentioning he was over a PPG his previous two seasons. So his offense didn't come out of nowhere.

Caligula isn't as skilled as Shaw. Plus, Shaw was better defensively, IMO.

Not to say I don't like what Caligula has brought to the Hawks.
- Elbows15

Was Shaw really that skilled or was Shaw very good at cashing in on greesy goals? Big difference.

Here! Here! I was beginning to think I was the only one who felt this way. Thank you for the reality check.
- gabriel

Expected better jam from this group with a 2 point swing in the balance,
and they looked liked they were trying. Maybe Philly just locked 'em down.

Was Shaw really that skilled or was Shaw very good at cashing in on greesy goals? Big difference.
- SteveRain

I guess being able to deflect puck isn't a skill in your world. Or the ability to enter the zone with puck control.