Sorry I missed this in all the posts...I played up to university level hockey on a partial scholarship.
- andru2797

why does this matter our gm has no playing experience

Toews is the ultimate leader and in no way am I saying he wasnt deserving of MVP but if you look at his numbers, he had one goal in his last 8 playoff games that year. Kane scored in game 4,5,6 of the finals. Toews was the MVP of the Vancouver series along with Bolland but people forget about Kae's contribution in the NASH, VAN, PHI series.
- nickmo2699

Opening myself up to serious flaming here, but here goes. Are we so sure that Toews is half the leader we think he is? Yes, he is a very focused and driven player. The team does not even come close to following his lead game in and game out. We have been bemoaning the inconsistancy of effort from this team for a year and a half now.

in my opinion we had our version of nash in the form of buff

i wish he could have stayed with toews and kane for many years. noone finished checks the way buff did by laying the guy out[pronger]

its continues to become more appearant to me that stan did not do a good job reducing salary after the cup and even this year

most people miss ladd but i think buff brings more to the table

i wish a cap savy guy would do an analysis on the cup team as it related to the cap and come up their vrsion for reducing salary ie review stans moves

Opening myself up to serious flaming here, but here goes. Are we so sure that Toews is half the leader we think he is? Yes, he is a very focused and driven player. The team does not even come close to following his lead game in and game out. We have been bemoaning the inconsistancy of effort from this team for a year and a half now.
- NewToHockey

the captain leads by example on the ice not in flowery locker room speeches

the captain leads by example on the ice not in flowery locker room speeches
- molly2522

Is he leading if no one follows?

Just finishing what you started... don't worry I'll leave you alone.
- wolverine19

Hey if personal attacks on message board users long after a subject is dead and gone make u feel better, please don't stop on my account. I, unlike others don't worry too much about what others say about me on the internet. Knock yourself out

Why would "they" not want an original 6, big market US team to be one of the faces of he league?
- StLBravesFan

ALL leagues want parody (except maybe baseball....) so every team's fanbase has hope for next year.

Opening myself up to serious flaming here, but here goes. Are we so sure that Toews is half the leader we think he is? Yes, he is a very focused and driven player. The team does not even come close to following his lead game in and game out. We have been bemoaning the inconsistancy of effort from this team for a year and a half now.
- NewToHockey

Not gonna roast you--as a fan, I love Toews. But the thought you expressed has crossed my mind. It hasn't made me question Toews so much, but it has gotten me to think that there has to be some sort of disconnect, or perhaps something is seriously wrong with the team. When things are going well, personality clashes, tensions, and fault lines get covered up or maybe aren't so noticeable--maybe for some guys who aren't as driven, Toews has worn thin.

What are the tensions in the locker room between individuals--does anybody know?

ALL leagues want parody (except maybe baseball....) so every team's fanbase has hope for next year.
- hawks2010

Now that's funny.

This is a new one on me. Hell, does anybody think the writers that voted for Toews were aware he had a bonus for winning the Conn Smythe? There's an even slimmer chance they knew it counted against the cap. Most of the die-hards who populate this blog didn't know. This is an amazing scenario. The hockey writers conspiring to bring down the dynasty that will be the Chicago Blackhawks so that....what....the teams they cover will have a better chance in the future. Lawanda! Get Oliver Stone on the phone. Yes now! Hey, they're making a movie about some schmucks stealing the Stanley Cup so why not?
- Hal9000y2k

Yes, most do know. Many entry level deals, especially for top drafted players, have these type of bonuses in their ELC. You just NEVER see it happen, (except for our Hawks)... Cost us Ladd or Niemi for sure!!!!

Per Chris Kuc, Crawford will be in the net tomorrow..

ALL leagues want parody (except maybe baseball....) so every team's fanbase has hope for next year.
- hawks2010

Well, the Hawks certainly bring more "parody" to the league than most teams.

Yes, most do know. Many entry level deals, especially for top drafted players, have these type of bonuses in their ELC. You just NEVER see it happen, (except for our Hawks)... Cost us Ladd or Niemi for sure!!!!
- hawks2010

The $1MM for Toews would have been survivable - it was the $4MM in bonuses that killed it - and I'm still convinced Bowman didn't know about the total.

Yes, most do know. Many entry level deals, especially for top drafted players, have these type of bonuses in their ELC. You just NEVER see it happen, (except for our Hawks)... Cost us Ladd or Niemi for sure!!!!
- hawks2010

You can't be serious. Outside of Vancouver, I think people all over the NHL were on the 'Hawks and Toews bandwagon. It almost seemed like a foregone conclusion, if I recall correctly, that Toews was going to to win the Conn Smythe--even when he slowed down a bit.

ALL leagues want parody (except maybe baseball....) so every team's fanbase has hope for next year.
- hawks2010

To disagree a little bit:

All leagues want parity, yes, but the also want a top draw to bring in the weekly/holiday TV viewers: Yankees, Lakers/Bulls, Heat now, national teams that fans of all teams want to see. Only football doesnt really need one.

NHL, with it's parity, doesn't really have one.

Now that they've decided on the Big House for the Winter Classic, all they need is a CBA to make it happen.

115,000 people, 2 best hockey cities around....

To disagree a little bit:

All leagues want parity, yes, but the also want a top draw to bring in the weekly/holiday TV viewers: Yankees, Lakers/Bulls, Heat now, national teams that fans of all teams want to see. Only football doesnt really need one.

NHL, with it's parity, doesn't really have one.
- StLBravesFan

A polarizing team is a great thing for a sport. The Yankees are the perfect example. Most every baseball fan has a strong opinion about them. It doesn't matter to the league if the emotion is positive or negative, just that the fans are engaged.

I wish he would have won it, would mean one of Buff/Ladd/Niemi would likely still be on the team.

But I think a legit case could be made for anyone of Toews/Buff/Niemi/Bolland.
- Ogilthorpe2

It was reported afterwards by the vote was really close....

It was between Keith and Toews.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blackhawks

Am I seeing things or is that a picture of O'Donnell with an A on his sweater?

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blackhawks

Am I seeing things or is that a picture of O'Donnell with an A on his sweater?
- NewToHockey

Ha ha ha it is but it looks like O.D. and a Cheli mix.

He found a way to win. And when you muddle past all the other BS that unnecessarily confuses the issue winning is ALL that matters. And no, I'm not Charlie Sheen. But damn there are days I wish I was!
- Hal9000y2k

Niemi was the difference against the Sharks...heard from people with both teams.

Furthermore in the other series the only goalie who outplayed him was Rinne.

That my friend is good enough.

>While his OpEd column has no "hockey chops" -- surprise, surprise -- it is significant in that it puts the spotlight on the Hawks outside of the regular hockey beat -- for very NEGATIVE reasons
>Now, even Joe Schmo, who has no idea what "tagging up" to get back onside means, knows the Hawks are in deep do-do
>Guess Tommy Hawk will be delivering a few less V-day packages
- SnapitUpstairs

That's the MO here and other cities in the States....Feature writers are only summoned a handful of times in the regular season and it is often because the boat is rocking.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blackhawks

Am I seeing things or is that a picture of O'Donnell with an A on his sweater?
- NewToHockey

That' a preseason game in Pittsburgh I think.

Niemi was the difference against the Sharks...heard from people with both teams.

Furthermore in the other series the only goalie who outplayed him was Rinne.

That my friend is good enough.
- Al

This is true.

So , what are the Hawks going to do this year ? Crawford has not been good enough , Emery is not the answer and the Defense has been pretty bad , let alone pushovers , Al , is there help on the way ?

To disagree a little bit:

All leagues want parity, yes, but the also want a top draw to bring in the weekly/holiday TV viewers: Yankees, Lakers/Bulls, Heat now, national teams that fans of all teams want to see. Only football doesnt really need one.

NHL, with it's parity, doesn't really have one.
- StLBravesFan

What 's needed in hockey is a dynasty like the Islanders or Canadiens were. And preferably in a big city like Philly, Chicago, Boston, Toronto.

Fans either love the team or revile them but they sell tickets, jerseys and put the sport up there with the likes of the Bulls, Yankees, Lakers, Patriots.

Screw the somebody different wins the Stanley Cup every year.