Perlini was shoved in the back when he ran into Grubauer.

I agreed the officiating is horribly inconsistent. My biggest issue is they stopped calling the embellishment penalty. I don't want to watch an NHL game that looks like the NBA.

My biggest peeve is the refs seem to swallow the whistle if they think making a call is going to have a huge impact on the game. No call on the Keith trip (don't think is was that bad), no call on the Toews trip b/c they don't want to give a 5 on 3, but then they call the Toews hooking penalty to give the Avs the 5 on 3, or the referee tossing Soderberg from the dot after icing (after he already warned him) and then realizing that would result in a penalty so he gave Soderberg as second warning.

Swallow the whistle or call a penalty when its a penalty. Don't do both randomly.
- bhawks2241

I would not be surprised of Grub ended up in protocol, on Keiths goal he hit his head pretty hard on the inside of the goal pipe which has zero give. He seemed to be down for a few seconds after.

No you read it wrong I didn't say you or anyone wasn't a fan. I said that when the Hawks were winning and had the best years in the history of the franchise some posts, by some posters (I didn't named names) during 2008 to 2016 were nothing but negative. And the bizarre part was all those negative posts had little to do with the on ice product but instead these posters had their jockeys in a knot about stuff that had little bearing on the team. And the complaints were even more bizarre, ranging from the telecasts, (who cares), to the post goal song (Who cares), to McD the meddler, Stan who got his job because of his Dad, lamenting the loss of Uncle Dale and yadda, yadda, yadda.

If you thought this was directed at you it wasn't meant that way. Unless of course you posted all the nonsense and missed the best years of Blackhawk hockey in misdirected angst.
- paulr

Understood....I get negative at times about McDonough because I see through a lot of his crap.

I won't discount that his formula works. He took an awful Cubs product and got everyone to come out for beanie babies and Sosa hrs. He took the Hawks and forced the issue and made numerous great moves that enabled them to jockey for discretionary dollars. I don't dispute any of it.

I'm grateful to see it in person for numerous years the success of the players, and guys coming and going. Im grateful for the championships and glad this wasn't a 1985 bears or 2005 Sox or the 2016 cubs situation where the talent was there to win more but they never did (or haven't yet in re Cubs).

Both Tallon and Bowman have/had their issues. My only care is how do the Hawks expedite the process while 19/88 are young enough to contribute.

I get that 56 is average, at best, in his own end but the vial hatred I see from people is shocking to me.

Why is it in general that refs are allowing so much contact with goalies? You are seeing this in every game now. Players are driving to the net with no regard for the goalie. I am especially concerned about this because of Crawford's concussions history. Is it going to take more goalies sustaining concussions to enforce contact rules? It wasn't that long ago when you could not even have a toe in the blue paint for a goal to be disallowed. We have gone from one extreme to another.
BTW I love the way Kampf is playing now. To me he looked more effective than Strome last night. This guy is a keeper.
- 67hawks

Was wondering the same thing yesterday - lots of contact with Crow, Perlini drove into Grubauer, as did Keith on the game-winner. Why not just drive the goalie and puck into the net in shootouts?

Totally correct. I'd add that there were many barking about the players and coach, too. Too many lavender sniffers to win in 2013-2015. People only posting after a loss. We all have the right to be the fan we want to be, but when one posts about how bad the team is during a dynasty, it's hard to take other stuff seriously.

Rain man, my post is NOT directed at you.
- mohel

I know.....

Look I respect the guy who used to run this blog, but it seems the negativity and conspiracies are gone for the most part.

I love watching playoff hockey, but it's better when the Hawks are in it. As long as the damn Leafs don't win....I'll be good. The more the hockey deity of Canada, babcock, loses the better off the world is...

Why is it in general that refs are allowing so much contact with goalies? You are seeing this in every game now. Players are driving to the net with no regard for the goalie. I am especially concerned about this because of Crawford's concussions history. Is it going to take more goalies sustaining concussions to enforce contact rules? It wasn't that long ago when you could not even have a toe in the blue paint for a goal to be disallowed. We have gone from one extreme to another.
BTW I love the way Kampf is playing now. To me he looked more effective than Strome last night. This guy is a keeper.
- 67hawks

I do think the players try really hard to avoid contact..certainly keith did but its the defender checking the attacker into the goalie that is the real problem...not sure how you stop that...

two 200 lb guys skating at 25 mph and then barrel into a stationary goalie...yeah bad things are going to happen to the netminder...

grubby caught a facefull of pipe after the keith scored

Understood....I get negative at times about McDonough because I see through a lot of his crap.

I won't discount that his formula works. He took an awful Cubs product and got everyone to come out for beanie babies and Sosa hrs. He took the Hawks and forced the issue and made numerous great moves that enabled them to jockey for discretionary dollars. I don't dispute any of it.

I'm grateful to see it in person for numerous years the success of the players, and guys coming and going. Im grateful for the championships and glad this wasn't a 1985 bears or 2005 Sox or the 2016 cubs situation where the talent was there to win more but they never did (or haven't yet in re Cubs).

Both Tallon and Bowman have/had their issues. My only care is how do the Hawks expedite the process while 19/88 are young enough to contribute.

I get that 56 is average, at best, in his own end but the vial hatred I see from people is shocking to me.
- SteveRain

Rain man, McD is a marketing/management guy. He's supposed to spin. I don't get mad about it because I expect it. I care about management's goals, and I think he knows they have to win to make big money. They could've settled for being a very good team, but they went for it throughout the run. I appreciate that.

I know.....

Look I respect the guy who used to run this blog, but it seems the negativity and conspiracies are gone for the most part.

I love watching playoff hockey, but it's better when the Hawks are in it. As long as the damn Leafs don't win....I'll be good. The more the hockey deity of Canada, babcock, loses the better off the world is...
- SteveRain

I agree on all fronts. Well, maybe not the respect thing. And certainly on the Leaves. And Preds.

To me, I don't think Toews or the rest of the team looked fatigued - they looked exasperated at times when Grubauer was standing on his head - but the compete and energy level looked fine and probably better than many other games. The exception is Kane who, I'm convinced, has something wrong that is affecting his puck handling - it's a hand or wrist or I don't know but something isn't quite right.

I thought the Hawks played great last night - inspirational even. Yeah Grubauer stoned us for most of the game but the Hawks played like it mattered on both sides of the puck and it was good to see that compete level. Whether the Hawks make the playoffs is really not very important in the big picture - it's the team growing and improving and having this experience which will help our young players grow and that is happening. This struggle is an important learning experience and will pay dividends down the road.

on the no call toews trip...the front official was looking right at it but may not have the best view; the back official has no excuse for missing that call. the stick clearly caught his skates...
- bogiedoc

Agreed. They moved to the two referee system because there is so much going on. I can accept that calls can get missed — it is a very fast and fluid game. What I don’t like is the apparent inconsistency on the calls from game to game or even within a game given the situation. I don’t agree with the philosophy that the refs don’t want to interfere with the game — failing to make the right calls is interfering with the game.

Understood....I get negative at times about McDonough because I see through a lot of his crap.

I won't discount that his formula works. He took an awful Cubs product and got everyone to come out for beanie babies and Sosa hrs. He took the Hawks and forced the issue and made numerous great moves that enabled them to jockey for discretionary dollars. I don't dispute any of it.

I'm grateful to see it in person for numerous years the success of the players, and guys coming and going. Im grateful for the championships and glad this wasn't a 1985 bears or 2005 Sox or the 2016 cubs situation where the talent was there to win more but they never did (or haven't yet in re Cubs).

Both Tallon and Bowman have/had their issues. My only care is how do the Hawks expedite the process while 19/88 are young enough to contribute.

I get that 56 is average, at best, in his own end but the vial hatred I see from people is shocking to me.
- SteveRain

Alot of what you post about the one ice product I agree with 100%. I don't get the hatred of Gus, he is what he is. I just hope his point totals don't command a huge salary increase because a 3rd pairing powerplay specialist who can't be trusted in his own end, can't be paid like a 1st pairing guy in today's NHL. I also agree there is no perfect GM or coach, even the great ones have a shelf life as we saw ith Quenneville. I was souring on Bowman based on the terrible Seabrook contract and the bad off season signings. But the Strome, Perlini and Caggiula trades were brilliant. So I'm curious to see what else he can do and think he deserves a chance to turn this team around.

No you read it wrong I didn't say you or anyone wasn't a fan. I said that when the Hawks were winning and had the best years in the history of the franchise some posts, by some posters (I didn't named names) during 2008 to 2016 were nothing but negative. And the bizarre part was all those negative posts had little to do with the on ice product but instead these posters had their jockeys in a knot about stuff that had little bearing on the team. And the complaints were even more bizarre, ranging from the telecasts, (who cares), to the post goal song (Who cares), to McD the meddler, Stan who got his job because of his Dad, lamenting the loss of Uncle Dale and yadda, yadda, yadda.

If you thought this was directed at you it wasn't meant that way. Unless of course you posted all the nonsense and missed the best years of Blackhawk hockey in misdirected angst.
- paulr

I always enjoy your posts and input.

Not everyone watches the games as a fan of hockey, however. To them, the ancillary things you don’t care about are as important to them as the on-Ice product is to you.

Everyone is tuning in for their own reasons. If you don’t like their criticisms, tune them out and enjoy the game at whatever level you enjoy.

Regarding whether all the complainers should post here, I say they should. Hockey is still a niche sport in this city that doesn’t come close to having the support of the cubs or bears. I have a hard time getting a bunch of co-workers interested in chatting about the hawks. I like hockeybuzz for the opportunity to share hawks talk with others.

I know.....

Look I respect the guy who used to run this blog, but it seems the negativity and conspiracies are gone for the most part.

I love watching playoff hockey, but it's better when the Hawks are in it. As long as the damn Leafs don't win....I'll be good. The more the hockey deity of Canada, babcock, loses the better off the world is...
- SteveRain

I can't stand the Leafs, the only time I hated another team more was when the Hawks had those battles with the Canucks from 2008 to 2011.

I always enjoy your posts and input.

Not everyone watches the games as a fan of hockey, however. To them, the ancillary things you don’t care about are as important to them as the on-Ice product is to you.

Everyone is tuning in for their own reasons. If you don’t like their criticisms, tune them out and enjoy the game at whatever level you enjoy.

Regarding whether all the complainers should post here, I say they should. Hockey is still a niche sport in this city that doesn’t come close to having the support of the cubs or bears. I have a hard time getting a bunch of co-workers interested in chatting about the hawks. I like hockeybuzz for the opportunity to share hawks talk with others.
- Spec41971

I'd never suggest anyone can or cannot post where ever they like. My original post was in response to a poster criticizing posters who were too positive.

Interesting about hockey being a niche sport in Chicago. I live outside of Toronto and hockey is Number 1. No I should say the Leafs are number 1. Most Toronto fans are Leaf fans not hockey fans.

I know many fans hate him but Bettman is doing a great job of promoting hockey in the U.S. And with grassroots hockey in non traditional hockey markets he may one day make hockey a sport many more of your friends and co-workers are interested in.

I know.....

Look I respect the guy who used to run this blog, but it seems the negativity and conspiracies are gone for the most part.

I love watching playoff hockey, but it's better when the Hawks are in it. As long as the damn Leafs don't win....I'll be good. The more the hockey deity of Canada, babcock, loses the better off the world is...
- SteveRain

You're worried about the Leafs winning a Cup? Totally senseless insecurity, the team and the fans are already lining up their excuses. And the only date and location the City has available for a parade is a day in late April on a dead end street adjacent to a garbage dump.

Now if you need to hate some team how about directing it at Duke and their jerk coach Mike Shewshevsky.

I can't stand the Leafs, the only time I hated another team more was when the Hawks had those battles with the Canucks from 2008 to 2011.
- paulr

Remember that commercial that started with 'when EF Hutton speaks, people listen'.

"When the Toronto Maple Leafs speak, even Gary Bettman listens".

Hate them or not, the Maple Leafs are the bank of the NHL and their cash makes it possible for loser franchises in Arizona, Florida and Jersey to exist.

Rain man, McD is a marketing/management guy. He's supposed to spin. I don't get mad about it because I expect it. I care about management's goals, and I think he knows they have to win to make big money. They could've settled for being a very good team, but they went for it throughout the run. I appreciate that.
- mohel

You're right.....He just rubs me the wrong way. I saw him interact with fans once during a season-ticket holder skating event and he was just an arrogant SOB.

I'll get over it.....

I agree on all fronts. Well, maybe not the respect thing. And certainly on the Leaves. And Preds.
- mohel

Remember that commercial that started with 'when EF Hutton speaks, people listen'.

"When the Toronto Maple Leafs speak, even Gary Bettman listens".

Hate them or not, the Maple Leafs are the bank of the NHL and their cash makes it possible for loser franchises in Arizona, Florida and Jersey to exist.
- RickJ

I agree, but that's only because you and I and your dog could play for the Leafs, have a losing record for 50 years and Leaf fans would not only trip all over themselves for season's tickets, they'd buy our sweaters.

Alot of what you post about the one ice product I agree with 100%. I don't get the hatred of Gus, he is what he is. I just hope his point totals don't command a huge salary increase because a 3rd pairing powerplay specialist who can't be trusted in his own end, can't be paid like a 1st pairing guy in today's NHL. I also agree there is no perfect GM or coach, even the great ones have a shelf life as we saw ith Quenneville. I was souring on Bowman based on the terrible Seabrook contract and the bad off season signings. But the Strome, Perlini and Caggiula trades were brilliant. So I'm curious to see what else he can do and think he deserves a chance to turn this team around.
- paulr

Im over the Q firing......all coaches will burn out a team at some point. Bowman hit a HR with Strome and Perlini. No question. I like Caggiula and hopefully he can stick.

Lets hope he has a rabbit up his sleeve in regards to fixing the D

You're worried about the Leafs winning a Cup? Totally senseless insecurity, the team and the fans are already lining up their excuses. And the only date and location the City has available for a parade is a day in late April on a dead end street adjacent to a garbage dump.

Now if you need to hate some team how about directing it at Duke and their jerk coach Mike Shewshevsky.
- RickJ

HA.....Leafs are going no where. NOt with that defense.

Oh, outside of the east coast I think every who follows NCAAB is tired of the ACC.

I know.....

Look I respect the guy who used to run this blog, but it seems the negativity and conspiracies are gone for the most part.

I love watching playoff hockey, but it's better when the Hawks are in it. As long as the damn Leafs don't win....I'll be good. The more the hockey deity of Canada, babcock, loses the better off the world is...
- SteveRain

Best post-season tournament in sports. And totally agreed when your team is in it. I am really looking forward to the playoffs; just not as enthused as in some of the previous years.

Im over the Q firing......all coaches will burn out a team at some point. Bowman hit a HR with Strome and Perlini. No question. I like Caggiula and hopefully he can stick.

Lets hope he has a rabbit up his sleeve in regards to fixing the D
- SteveRain

Last year it became apparent Q's heart didn't seem to be into it. I figured it was is time. I'm not sure about Colliton yet? Did he overcompensate the run and gun to hide the fact his defense is so weak? The team D of the last few game has been better. Until I see a defensive structure that can stop the opposition I'll reseve judgement. As of right now he has them playing with fire in their bellies and that's something they hadn't been doing.

To me, I don't think Toews or the rest of the team looked fatigued - they looked exasperated at times when Grubauer was standing on his head - but the compete and energy level looked fine and probably better than many other games. The exception is Kane who, I'm convinced, has something wrong that is affecting his puck handling - it's a hand or wrist or I don't know but something isn't quite right.

I thought the Hawks played great last night - inspirational even. Yeah Grubauer stoned us for most of the game but the Hawks played like it mattered on both sides of the puck and it was good to see that compete level. Whether the Hawks make the playoffs is really not very important in the big picture - it's the team growing and improving and having this experience which will help our young players grow and that is happening. This struggle is an important learning experience and will pay dividends down the road.
- EbonyRaptor

There was a replay during a power play yesterday where they showed Kane make on of his beautiful little cross-ice saucer passes going about three high all the way across the ice. He can usually make those passes sleeping with a blindfold in a wooden box in a cargo container. Would agree that something is not right with him.

I'd never suggest anyone can or cannot post where ever they like. My original post was in response to a poster criticizing posters who were too positive.

Interesting about hockey being a niche sport in Chicago. I live outside of Toronto and hockey is Number 1. No I should say the Leafs are number 1. Most Toronto fans are Leaf fans not hockey fans.

I know many fans hate him but Bettman is doing a great job of promoting hockey in the U.S. And with grassroots hockey in non traditional hockey markets he may one day make hockey a sport many more of your friends and co-workers are interested in.
- paulr

Wasn’t saying you were implying people shouldn’t post. Was directing that at the board in general.

I think hockey is a niche sport here because it is too fast for May to follow and there a a lot of people who didn’t grow up playing or being around it.

Disagree with you about bettman. Think he is doing the job the owners want him to do...but he does that very well.

I just can’t give him the credit for promoting the game in the U.S. because I think that is one thing the owners can agree on - to make their product more viable across the country, they have to get kids playing the game in the markets where they want to be in. Can’t have a national audience if people aren’t playing it and don’t understand it.

Last year it became apparent Q's heart didn't seem to be into it. I figured it was is time. I'm not sure about Colliton yet? Did he overcompensate the run and gun to hide the fact his defense is so weak? The team D of the last few game has been better. Until I see a defensive structure that can stop the opposition I'll reseve judgement. As of right now he has them playing with fire in their bellies and that's something they hadn't been doing.
- paulr

Yeah, I don't think so too regarding Q. Funny how Samuelsson was supposed to be this young D man whisperer and it didn't pan out.

Not sure what either to make of Colliton quite yet. I think he has a lot to work with upfront but not so much on the blue line. I do agree they seem to be playing a lot more of a team game on D which has helped cut down on the shootouts they were having for a bit there.....believe the over on the o/u side of betting was on a historical pace. Something like it cashed 24 of 28 times with 2 pushes. So basically out of 28 games it only didn't hit 2 times and believe both were against the NYI