He's got no value right now with a bum back and a bum foot - neither of which are fully healed yet.
- Return of the Roar

Back will probably never be healed. Every guy in that room is banged up to a certain extent. I'm amazed Hammer can walk considering all the rubber he sees.

Now that all the hysterical ladies have spoken and vented, lets point out the most important thing that we learned tonight. Contrary to the demand to get big players etc, what is needed is simple (big) effort and commitment. Without it the frontrunning YO YO play will continue.

Shaw the size of a small high school player buzzed around, finished checks and competed every second he was on the ice. What kills me is how for the first 2 periods, we did not win any...any 50 50 battles on the boards and could never clear the puck. That is not skill that is grit and desire.

Love what the Hawks are doing in promoting young guys who are playing well. That is critical for a healthy organization. Olsen looked great while he was out there. Jumped into the play nicely.
- TrueGrit

Absolutely this. What we've learned this year is the Hawks can hang with the best teams even when not playing well - which makes it all the more important for SB to make a move on defense, one that will also shore up the PK.

And to get guys to stop being stupid: Scott's instigator against Pittsburgh, Carcillo's board against Oilers, Sharp's bad 3rd period penalties the past two games, Kane's bad penalty tonite. All were important - maybe the most important - factors in the last 3 losses.

Agreed. They really need a 2nd line center badly...With the cap room they have, no excuses for Bowman.

I hope Bowman's potential inability to acquire one doesn't lead to them rushing Kruger back. Kid took a ridiculous amount of head shots vs Columbus. He's getting better with each game he plays.
- SteveRain

Agreed on Kruger.

Partly agree on Bowman having no excuses.. The team is still very good, there are holes to fill but they are not desperate enough to grossly overpay to make a trade.

Absolutely this. What we've learned this year is the Hawks can hang with the best teams even when not playing well - which makes it all the more important for SB to make a move on defense, one that will also shore up the PK.

And to get guys to stop being stupid: Scott's instigator against Pittsburgh, Carcillo's board against Oilers, Sharp's bad 3rd period penalties the past two games, Kane's bad penalty tonite. All were important - maybe the most important - factors in the last 3 losses.
- StLBravesFan

Moreover, they are one of the best teams in the league. And even though the topic has been broached before, it is worth mentioning again here. Is there a systemic issue related to the lack of contact and compete?

Those penalties are symptomatic of bad karma related to laziness and stupidity. Even so, you have to work your way out of those situations. The refs let the hawks off of too many men in middle of third and Odonnels take down.

Yes need to add a guy, but we would be better with some subtractions.

Moreover, they are one of the best teams in the league. And even though the topic has been broached before, it is worth mentioning again here. Is there a systemic issue related to the lack of contact and compete?

Those penalties are symptomatic of bad karma related to laziness and stupidity. Even so, you have to work your way out of those situations. The refs let the hawks off of too many men in middle of third and Odonnels take down.

Yes need to add a guy, but we would be better with some subtractions.
- TrueGrit

Yes...O'donnel, Lepisto, Scott, Bickell....happy trails.

Partly agree on best team in the league...They are 5-7 against "top" teams (Van, Det, LA, STL, Bos, Phil, Pitt, SJ). Still waiting for them to get on that roll....shore up the weaknesses, and get everyone on board with their role on the team.

Agreed on Kruger.

Partly agree on Bowman having no excuses.. The team is still very good, there are holes to fill but they are not desperate enough to grossly overpay to make a trade.
- pri$ey

Depends on who it is....Central is way too tight. Chances are there will be 4 teams within 4 pts of each other tomorrow morning....Gotta think STL and Nash will win at home.

Boston over the Flames 9-0. Holy crap! That team is scary good right now.
- RetiredGoalie

My gosh they are blowing teams off the ice. Are those the 80's Oilers in black and gold? They have a goal differential of +69: 138-69!!

They are a much better team than last year...giv'em the cup now!!

“Teams usually wait until they are even further out of it,” Bowman said before the Hawks took on the Flyers on Thursday. “All we can do is keep in touch with them, and if they’re ready to start making trades we’ll talk to them and see if there is a fit there. We can’t force them and say we need you to trade this guy to us now. We talk and let them know the players that we like. But it takes two to tango.” -Stan Bowman

Let's all remember this in the coming weeks..

Depends on who it is....Central is way too tight. Chances are there will be 4 teams within 4 pts of each other tomorrow morning....Gotta think STL and Nash will win at home.
- SteveRain

You're half right: Blues 3 goals in 3rd to win, Preds lose to Dallas.

Depends on who it is....Central is way too tight. Chances are there will be 4 teams within 4 pts of each other tomorrow morning....Gotta think STL and Nash will win at home.
- SteveRain

Edmonton blew 3 goal lead and lost to the Blues 4-3! Preds a loser to Stars.

Hawks play 8 of the next 10 at home. They need to tighten it up, get on a roll and establish some home dominance!

In other news, Stalberg was a -2 tonight and is a -6 in his last 4 games! Should have traded him after his 2 goal night against Columbus. Who is worse on D, him or Kane?

Serious question..

Is Bolland untouchable for you? Or where does he rank in terms of NOT getting traded out Sharp, Kane, Toews, Hossa, Seabrook, Keith, Leddy, Hammer, Crawford.

IF the goal is to win the cup, and you go all in...and get a top lw in return and he's the center piece of deal....would you do it.

god knows, you know my answer.
- SteveRain

Right now, I wouldn't be upset if Bolland, Bickell, or Frolik were traded....can't believe just a few months ago everyone thought they were our solid 3rd line. Did Bolland or Bickell even play in the third?

In other news, Stalberg was a -2 tonight and is a -6 in his last 4 games! Should have traded him after his 2 goal night against Columbus. Who is worse on D, him or Kane?
- VancouverSucks

My jaw hits the floor every time I see the replay where the Flyer player grabs the Puck, skates around Stalberg who was ACTUALLY STANDING IN PLACE, and scores. You can trade him anytime, too, Stan!!!

I don't know if anyone else watched the Gold Medal game, but I would LOVE the Hawks draft the Russian Goalie Makarov from tonight's game...57 SAVES!!!!

I thought Olsen did some decent things. I didn't see him do too much to hurt them so I guess that good. I like shaw a lot just not on the first line. If he can play on the fourth line like burish he'd be good there. Eventually I'd like Hayes on the third line with bolland.
- golfbard

I liked Olsen's game tonight. In ONE game, he's already better than a 100 year old O'Donnell!! That said, I wouldn't want him in the everyday lineup just yet, but he could be a Black Ace in the playoffs. We still need a solid stay-at-home defenseman, Stan!!!!

Yes...O'donnel, Lepisto, Scott, Bickell....happy trails.Partly agree on best team in the league...They are 5-7 against "top" teams (Van, Det, LA, STL, Bos, Phil, Pitt, SJ). Still waiting for them to get on that roll....shore up the weaknesses, and get everyone on board with their role on the team.
- SteveRain

Wait a minute, Montador should be on your list too. Did anybody miss that sadsack defenceman tonight? O'Donnell didn't play any worse than #5 does. Olsen may not be quite ready yet but he's no worse than OD, Lepisto, Scott and Montador.

Quote of the night: Flyers center Claude Giroux on facing the Hawks: “Anytime you think of Chicago you're going to think of them stealing the Stanley Cup from us.”

Hey Claude no team steals the cup from the other team. They earn it and are the first to 16 wins. Also your team never lead in the series. The Flyers name wasn't on it before the 2010 finals started...so get over it...YOU LOST...the Hawks BEAT YOU and did not STEAL anything from you!! Now go figure out how your team is going to get past the Rangers and Bruins this year. Good luck and may a first or second round exit be in your future!!

It's one game but Shaw should start watching videos of Brad Marchand right now.. Thats the type of player he could be.

Lots of heart, good skill and his skating is good too.
- pri$ey

Was thinking the same thing...

I don't know if anyone else watched the Gold Medal game, but I would LOVE the Hawks draft the Russian Goalie Makarov from tonight's game...57 SAVES!!!!
- hawks2010

He was outstanding and actually a surprise starter. Both Russian goalies were excellent in the tournament, but the Czech goalie was simply the best. Oh, by the way, he has been drafted by the Wings!

Olsen made news by not messing up...Olsen was even on the night and had 3 shots on goal..but was fairly invisible in a good way....Hayes is really growing on me...great size, scored early, crashed the net a few times looking for rebounds...but he needs to get meaner in tight. As for Shaw...A STAR IS BORN. This kid is the real deal...i've seen him play live many times up here in the Toronto area and i was thrilled to see us take a chance on him in the 5th round....and he hasn't disappointed. I was curious to see how his skating measured up at this level...but he covers a ton of ground and is a very good skater. We've got a gem in ANDREW SHAW.
- philco28

i agree but i still want to see the true gunslinging heavy weight come up. brandon bollig. shaw played well and i like him but he'll be like adam burrish and get the piss beat out of him most nights kind of like what rinaldo did tonite.

Hawks at the dot = not good: 45%. Kane was just 2 of 10 and Dave Bolland was 3 of 11.

I look forward to Bolland's reappearance as a player you can count on for at least a couple games a week.

Is Bickel still in the pressbox....if not he should be. Game after game #29 is the invisible 230 lb bag of marshmellows!!

Quote of the night: Flyers center Claude Giroux on facing the Hawks: “Anytime you think of Chicago you're going to think of them stealing the Stanley Cup from us.”

Hey Claude no team steals the cup from the other team. They earn it and are the first to 16 wins. Also your team never lead in the series. The Flyers name wasn't on it before the 2010 finals started...so get over it...YOU LOST...the Hawks BEAT YOU and did not STEAL anything from you!! Now go figure out how your team is going to get past the Rangers and Bruins this year. Good luck and may a first or second round exit be in your future!!
- bogiedoc

Frog Giroux said that.....LMFAO...this from a Frog that took a cheap, well acted dive....wasn't cut and the zebras sent Sharpie off for 4 minutes.....FORGET U Frog Giroux....WE GOT THE CUP on your ice....

Hawks at the dot = not good: 45%. Kane was just 2 of 10 and Dave Bolland was 3 of 11.

I look forward to Bolland's reappearance as a player you can count on for at least a couple games a week.

Is Bickel still in the pressbox....if not he should be. Game after game #29 is the invisible 230 lb bag of marshmellows!!
- bogiedoc

Kane at center STILL? I'm not laughing Q.
And Bickell? What a pantload of timidity. If i was his size, i'd be noticeable every NIGHT. But not him. And this braintrust, other than a 5 game sabbatical, has allowed him to be a purse on skates. WE ARE NOT HARDER TO PLAY AGAINST. JOKE. Same old Chicago SOFT Hawks.