John Jaeckel: Decisions, Decisions

Hey JJ - Mike Fisher... not Richards. I'm sure you're as tired as me this morning so we can let that slide. jks.

Have to have a short memory regarding last night's game...game 3 is a time for vindication.

In regards to the D, why does Q just not put 2 and 7 back together again, and 4 and 27? It just baffles me. As for the 3rd pair,

Why Desjardins was not playing instead of Nordstrom, is another curious roster choice. Nordstrom is a gamer, but too small to be effective with his hitting, and very limited offensively. If Brad Richards still plays, he might do better on the fourth line, maybe on the wing. The majority of the forwards can show up anytime now, as most of them have had the last three months off.

The goaltending is a big question mark. We all know Crawford was huge down the stretch for the Hawks, and they probably don't even make the playoffs without him, but there is no time for Crawford to work out whatever issues he is having now. Give Darling the start in game 3, and if he can't do it, at least Hawks can go back to Crawford and still have a shot to win the series.

I did not like how Hossa was being used on the PP, he was never a threat to shoot the puck.

John Jaeckel: Decisions, Decisions
- John Jaeckel

Does Cumiskey get into the line-up for Game 3?

Crawford's issues seem to be upstairs. No goalie coach can fix that.

I'll personally pay for Rundblad's ticket back to Sweden if that guarantees he's nowhere within 500 feet of the UC.

I would keep Richards and swap Vermette for Versteeg. It will NEVER happen as long as Q is the coach, by my lines would be:

20-19-81
10-91-88
65-80-29
11-16-86

2-7
27-4
32-26

Why not Desi and Nordstrom getting in there. Plenty of forwards not doing anything anyways. Might as well have a couple more guys who will throw the body.

Brad "I came here to play for the cup" Richards hasn't put his playing where his mouth is.

agree need to see 80 and 11....42 plays hard but i never see him do anything but race down the boards on the forecheck to give and take hits...

don't envy Q's decision for goalie: preds keep pushing and the hawks continue to have issues with puck management and pk....darling could get lit up to (see bolt and aves game)...he's got his rebound control problems also

I am questioning the usefulness of Teravainen on that 4th line. I think I would keep Nordstrom on that line over him. Other teams 4th liners tend to be bigger players. You can't compete with such a small 4th line.

And I still can't wipe away those visions of Crawford on his knees. both hands down, and that blank look on his face. I cringed every time that puck got near him last night. Win or lose I don't want to see that guy in the net again these playoffs. I am sure I read the lips of the Nashville player correctly near the end when he mouthed "He stopped that!" Crawford was an embarrassment again last night. Let him get his game together next year.

Bowman gets a big fat F in regard to fixing the defense. Why in gods name did he as Al states 'target' KT. A guy who hadn't played in a year. But the bigger question remains why didn't he fix the defense last summer.

Michalek/Petry/Sekera, etc all available...when the Kings got Sekera all we heard from several on this board was what an overpay. I'm thinkin' I'd overpay for that move in a heartbeat right now.

As JJ and Bogie both mention Richards not looking good...another Stan move sacrificing Leddy who could certainly help this team right now more than the bottom 4 dmen could.

By the way is any forward playing better than Sharpie right now?

We know its only one game and the Hawks have home ice and are a veteran team that knows how to win in the post season. But Craw did not look good at all last night. Vermette and Desi need to play as well as Darling at this point.

Huge game tomorrow for sure.

Nasty sloppy .

Oh well.


Hawks have home Ice in a best of 5 .

Q always waits till game 3 ' 4 to put his best line up on the ice. Dont kn9w why he does that.

Vermette Desi and Cuminski need to be in

Bowman gets a big fat F in regard to fixing the defense. Why in gods name did he as Al states 'target' KT. A guy who hadn't played in a year. But the bigger question remains why didn't he fix the defense last summer.

Michalek/Petry/Sekera, etc all available...when the Kings got Sekera all we heard from several on this board was what an overpay. I'm thinkin' I'd overpay for that move in a heartbeat right now.

As JJ and Bogie both mention Richards not looking good...another Stan move sacrificing Leddy who could certainly help this team right now more than the bottom 4 dmen could.

By the way is any forward playing better than Sharpie right now?

We know its only one game and the Hawks have home ice and are a veteran team that knows how to win in the post season. But Craw did not look good at all last night. Vermette and Desi need to play as well as Darling at this point.

Huge game tomorrow for sure.
- DK002

Vermette scratched both games now. Guessing Hawks fans not thrilled with the way that move worked out either. I personally didn't like what Stan gave up for him, but also thought he'd have a much greater impact by now.

That's unfortunate.

Bowman gets a big fat F in regard to fixing the defense. Why in gods name did he as Al states 'target' KT. A guy who hadn't played in a year. But the bigger question remains why didn't he fix the defense last summer.

Michalek/Petry/Sekera, etc all available...when the Kings got Sekera all we heard from several on this board was what an overpay. I'm thinkin' I'd overpay for that move in a heartbeat right now.

As JJ and Bogie both mention Richards not looking good...another Stan move sacrificing Leddy who could certainly help this team right now more than the bottom 4 dmen could.

By the way is any forward playing better than Sharpie right now?

We know its only one game and the Hawks have home ice and are a veteran team that knows how to win in the post season. But Craw did not look good at all last night. Vermette and Desi need to play as well as Darling at this point.

Huge game tomorrow for sure.
- DK002

Richards and Leddy have nothing to do with each other... The decision to clear cap space was between Leddy and Oduya.

And I'm guessing you haven't seen Leddy play in the playoffs this year... He has had 2 primary assists on Caps goals, one of which was the GWG last night. The guy is constantly shying away from contact and makes some very poor decisions in his own zone. Preds forwards would be eating him alive the same way they have Rozy and Timonen.

But I agree that Stan (frank)ed up majorly on D. Several serviceable d-men on the market, and he grabs the one that is washed up and hasn't played in a year... Bad choice.

I am questioning the usefulness of Teravainen on that 4th line. I think I would keep Nordstrom on that line over him. Other teams 4th liners tend to be bigger players. You can't compete with such a small 4th line.

And I still can't wipe away those visions of Crawford on his knees. both hands down, and that blank look on his face. I cringed every time that puck got near him last night. Win or lose I don't want to see that guy in the net again these playoffs. I am sure I read the lips of the Nashville player correctly near the end when he mouthed "He stopped that!" Crawford was an embarrassment again last night. Let him get his game together next year.
- 67hawks

Umm.... Have you been watching the games the last 3 weeks? That line has been arguably our best and TT was a big part of that. I'd say Nordstrom has been the one who hasn't brought much. Dezy was far more effective.

If I were living back in Chicago with you guys, I think that I would organize a Play Cumiskey Rally in front of the United Center players and coaches entrance tomorrow morning. There should be at least 100 Blackhawk fans holding up signs and harassing Quenville. This has gotten to the point of absurd. Even JJ has given up on KT!

Vermette scratched both games now. Guessing Hawks fans not thrilled with the way that move worked out either. I personally didn't like what Stan gave up for him, but also thought he'd have a much greater impact by now.

That's unfortunate.
- MnGump

Agree with you and 110% with JJ

Maybe Vermette gets in tonight and shows he belongs. Or maybe he's hurt? If not.....the scouting staff failed on both Vermette and TK as did Bowman for listening to them.
First round pick second rd pick and Dahlback for two guys that have added zilch and now sit in the press box



Hawks will go with Darling on Sunday dress Cuminskey and as for Vermette in or Richards out
Your guess is as good as mine

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, that I think is worth mentioning, is the use of the point men on the power play units.

PP1 features Keith and Hossa; both left handed shots, with Hossa playing on the left side, thus eliminating his superior one-timer (sorry, but Keith does not have an effective shot at all from the point).

PP2 features Seabrook and Sharp; both right handed shots.

Coach Q has been very clear over the years that teams who fail to score on their 5-on-3s usually fail to win the game. I believe that this philosophy extends to double minor and five minute major penalty situations, too.

So, just minutes into the second period last night, the Blackhawks had a four minute power play, on which, if I recall correctly, they generated ONE shot. Watching Hossa being completely unable to do anything because of his positioning on the left point, followed by Sharp taking very long ranged shots from the far right point, was extremely frustrating for me last night.

Swap Sharp and Hossa on the points, and then let's see what we can generate on the man advantage. I hate to say it, but one early power play goal like that could have gone a long way in changing the psychology, and possibly outcome, of the game last night.

Someone needs to line up Craig Smith and/or Colin Wilson on a clean hit and make them understand there will be a price to be paid for skating into the slot like they're ten feet tall.

THIS. They have to put these guys into next week. Make them think twice before going to the net.

Richards and Leddy have nothing to do with each other... The decision to clear cap space was between Leddy and Oduya.

And I'm guessing you haven't seen Leddy play in the playoffs this year... He has had 2 primary assists on Caps goals, one of which was the GWG last night. The guy is constantly shying away from contact and makes some very poor decisions in his own zone. Preds forwards would be eating him alive the same way they have Rozy and Timonen.

But I agree that Stan (frank)ed up majorly on D. Several serviceable d-men on the market, and he grabs the one that is washed up and hasn't played in a year... Bad choice.


- CBHawks88

Hey CB yeah I heard Leddy hasn't been stellar on the defensive side of things for the Isle so far (I think you mentioned it last night)...But Leddy vs. 32/44/26/5...


I still am hopeful Vermette and Desi are going to help this team...hopefully we come back at em tomorrow.

Richards and Leddy have nothing to do with each other... The decision to clear cap space was between Leddy and Oduya.

And I'm guessing you haven't seen Leddy play in the playoffs this year... He has had 2 primary assists on Caps goals, one of which was the GWG last night. The guy is constantly shying away from contact and makes some very poor decisions in his own zone. Preds forwards would be eating him alive the same way they have Rozy and Timonen.

But I agree that Stan (frank)ed up majorly on D. Several serviceable d-men on the market, and he grabs the one that is washed up and hasn't played in a year... Bad choice.


- CBHawks88

Leddy is not a playoff performer and not a big game player. But he sure skates purdy

Still take Johnny O over him any day in the playoffs.

Hey CB yeah I heard Leddy hasn't been stellar on the defensive side of things for the Isle so far (I think you mentioned it last night)...But Leddy vs. 32/44/26/5...


I still am hopeful Vermette and Desi are going to help this team...hopefully we come back at em tomorrow.
- DK002

Me too man.

To this point, I don't think Q has put 80 in a position to succeed... The guy is great on the PK - gets no PK time. Then Q throws him with guys that were struggling to score (himself included) - Steeg, Sharp, Bickell, Richards, etc. I am really curious how Vermette would do alongside Kane or the "Playoff Sharp" that we saw last night..

Good News (For Hawks):

Weber OUT for Games 3 and 4.

Maybe Crawford has heard, or read, some of the trade rumors that have been regularly appearing on this site over the past several months, and figures that the best way to stay in Chicago is to make himself untradable.

And maybe Jarrett Stoll simply does not enjoy golf.

Vermette scratched both games now. Guessing Hawks fans not thrilled with the way that move worked out either. I personally didn't like what Stan gave up for him, but also thought he'd have a much greater impact by now.

That's unfortunate.
- MnGump

I hear what you are saying but we can't have it both ways. If Bowman doesn't make the deal and Vermette goes to Minny or St Louis everyone would have been on him for not making the deal and holding on to a draft choice. So far the deal hasn't worked out like most of us had hoped but at least he did make a move. Hey you never know maybe Vermette scores the game winning goal in O.T. in game 7 of the finals.

Brad "I came here to play for the cup" Richards hasn't put his playing where his mouth is.

agree need to see 80 and 11....42 plays hard but i never see him do anything but race down the boards on the forecheck to give and take hits...

don't envy Q's decision for goalie: preds keep pushing and the hawks continue to have issues with puck management and pk....darling could get lit up to (see bolt and aves game)...he's got his rebound control problems also
- bogiedoc

Vermette or Richards, Desjardins or Nordstrom, Timmonen or Cumiskey - doesn't matter that much if the other 10 forwards and 5 defensemen aren't playing the way the should AND CAN.

You said it earlier - Hawks haven't had a lead in 6 games - can't win many if you're always chasing and not playing your game. Key is to come out hard and fast and desperate and actually get on the board with a crooked first period number.

IMO, goalie DOES matter - Crawford last nite reminded me of Crawford last year in game 2 against LA - it all fell apart starting with one minute left in the second - and he wasn't particularly good against LA after that. Time for Darling to start tomorrow and (if he does well) again on Tuesday.

Crawford looks like he needs time to get his head back in the game - and at this point they can't afford to have him do it on the ice. Plan on Darling for two games (unless he screws the pooch too) and plan to go back to Crawford for game 5.