The 2013 Season thread.

I almost wish that 3rd line would stop scoring so much.   Stalberg and Bickell might be priced out of town at this point.    Nice to see Bickell playing in all zones like we hoped he would. 

Sorry, but I just don't see it. I still see a guy that shys away from the boards. And a guy that "coasts" after he passes, shoots, or makes an ill-advised pass (turnover). I appreciate that Kane has the scoring touch. But c'mon.

Patrick Kane is 6th in the NHL in takeaways. 1 behind Marian Hossa. He may not be as  big or as strong as other players, but his work on the defensive end is vastly improved. I've seen a guy who has really made an effort at both ends of the ice, and the work along the boards they are talking about is his stick checking ability. Watch closely and you'll see a few times every night where Kane lifts a guys stick to break up an offensive opportunity.

I have to totally change my position regarding Brandon Saad...and his playing on the top line.  Earlier on I really thought he was a fourth line player, at best. 

What I have to remember is the kid is only 20 years old.  What I have seen is that he is improving each and every game.  The kid is strong, winning lots of board battles...and he is sneaky quick.  Have seen him get a step on a lot of defensemen coming down the boards on the left side.  

While he is not the ideal player to be on the first line (still think Sharp benefits more if he were there), Saad is going to be a really good player in years to come as he matures and learns the game even more.

But heck...if it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

Injury bug taking a big bite out of the Blackhawks now.

Michael Frolik---sick, but could be back Friday night
Marian Hossa---game time scratch, minor upper body injury, could have played tonight, should be able to go Friday
Andrew Shaw---left the game in the second period.  Got his bell wrung good by a Peter Stastny elbow (date with Mr Shanahan?). Could be available Friday night.
Patrick Sharp---looks to be the most serious injury.  Upper body injury.  Looked to me like a head AND shoulder injury.  Hunched over leaving the ice and went directly to the locker room.  Q said his injury could cause him to miss considerable time, but not season ending.  OUCH.

If Sharp goes down, who moves to the second line left wing?  Stalberg?  Frolik?  AHL-er?  Don't want to mess with Shaw-Bickell-Stalberg if you can.  

Got his bell wrung good by a Peter Stastny elbow

Wow, the ledgenary Czech is 56 years old. Didn't realize he was back in the league.
Would be great to see him and Anton on the same line again.

OOops, wrong Statsny.  Meant to say Peter Statsny.  Mea culpa.

Paul Stastny    /facepalm   lol

Should be a great game tonight.  Both teams have had the opportunity to feel each other out.  Hopefully Q has some tricks up his sleeve. 

I just want to point something out:  With the exception of the last game against Colorado, I can't recall the last time I've seen the Hawks this positionally sound on the ice for such an extended period of time.  The passes are crisp, and it's almost like they all have some sort of ESP with one another.  As far as the streak goes, it reminds me of someone putting NHL 13 on Rookie Mode and just having their way with the computer.  And while I'd love to believe that the streak of the '79-'80 Flyers will be broken, with Sharpie out, well, that's one big blow.  Out three to four weeks with a shoulder injury according to TSN.  Here's to hoping I'm wrong.  Cheers!

Time to see what the Hawks really have now.

Credit to Colorado.   Hawks were sloppy and probably a little fatigued.   The AVs played hard and executed well, especially their passing.   My only real concern about the loss was Crawford.    He gave one weak one and a couple I thought he could have played better.   Not sure why Q didn't yank him after the 4th one but he was so quick to jumble the lines after the 2nd COL goal, typical Q I guess.   Streak must have killed him not being able to mess with lines.

EDM is having a tough time.   I hope the Hawks get down to business and win going into 3 days off which they really need.    

How about Anaheim?

I can't recall the last time I've seen the Hawks this positionally sound on the ice for such an extended period of time.

I agree, Lucid. There have been games where they weren't as crisp, yet still won, but most of the time they look like a well-disciplined team.


I've heard some tv and radio talk shows compare the winning/point streaks of the Miami Heat vs the Blackhawks. (As far as whose been more impressive.) I'm actually amazed at the comparison. As a hockey fan, I may be a little bias, but how could anyone make a defense for the Heat?

The Blackhawks had zero preseason. They started most of their games on the road. And unlike basketball (where the more dominant teams in the NBA are better poised to win consistently), in hockey, the outcome of the games are not as gauranteed. A bad bounce or deflection, an off night on special teams, a "career" game for the opposing goalie, an utimely injury - all can wreak havoc on the better NHL club. And it happens more often in hockey than in basketball.

Go Hawks.

Well down 4-0 right out of the gate against the Oilers.............let's hope this isn't a trend !

Well, they carried over from the Avs game through the first period last night. Not skating, out of position and laziness. They looked kind of half-hearted. Now, I do believe that their 24 game points streak has caught up to them in terms of playing hard for 60 minutes. They looked tired against the Avs and in the first period last night. Then they decided to get back to Hawks hockey as they outplayed the Oilers in the 2nd and 3rd by getting to every puck and skating agressively. They played with conviction. I'm going to take the positive out of last night and say that they looked much better the last 40 minutes. How bad was the officiating in last night and even in the Avs game? Obviously, the officiating was not the reason they lost both games, but it certainly didn't help. They talked about the Oilers only getting 1 PP in their last 2 games, well they made up for that last night. 3 days off and then Columbus. We better be prepared for a 60 minute grind.

Montador waived.   I can't imagine that he'll be claimed right now.    If he is, great, otherwise, Hawks free up 900k in capspace and he's ready to be bought out. 

He will not have to pass reentry waivers since they're eliminated (I think, CBA not finished completed).   He can sit there until injury.    

I have no doubt the timing was NOT coincidence but I'm not sure how all this is likely to play out.   He may be set up for a waiver claim (some weak bluelines out there but still unlikely), he will be positioned for a buyout, and they get 900K in cap space right now.    Come June, he'll be positioned for a buyout.  

I'm just really curious about which roster spot he was tying up.    Dorsett is gone from CLB, and there aren't too many rosters they have to "goon up" for prior to the deadline.   Maybe it was Q's call, but I can't imagine he would have that much input on a player with that much on his contract still.

Montador cleared waivers.

He'll be positioned for a trade, buyout, or to stay in Rockford until needed for injury.

Hawks get 900k of cap space.   

Just read the Hawks recalled Jimmy Hayes.

Does he play on the 4th line?

  Could they maybe put him on 1st line and move Hossa or Saad to the 2nd line. I just like the line of Shaw, Bickell and Stalberg and hoping they can stay together.

What happened with that post?

No idea..


 Jimmy Hayes skated like Jon Scott for first few shifts then parked his large frame in front of the net.  

Hawks shellacked Dallas 8-1 tonight.  Best game in a very long time.  Aside from all the scoring, Hawks speed evident against the slower Stars.  Crisp sharp passes all night long.  Plenty of blocked shots in the lane. 

Sick spin-a-rama backhand goal scored by Patrick Kane.

Hawks trying to find a taker in a trade for Dave Bolland?  Please?  Not especially good in the faceoff dot (only to be "outdone" in ineptitude by Marcus Kruger who is just awful).  And I realize the Hawks are up 7-0, but Bolland on the penalty kill?  Awful performance there. 

Back on track after a thrashing of the Stars last night of a 8-1 score...........can't wait to see the game with the Ducks, could be s atatement game for either team.

Anyone notice that Nik Hjamarlsson has been very active shooting pucks to the net this season...whereas in past seasons he would rarely shoot?  The guy actually has a pretty darn good shot.  Nice to see him shoot.  Takes pressure off of Oduya at the other point and keeps defenses guessing. 

So did anyone see the brawl between the Icehogs and Wolves?

 Caught most of the 3rd and made me wonder why the Hawks haven't called up Morin (25 goals this season), even before the Sharp injury their was a few games he could have played on 4th line and although i love Hayes size wondering if he fits with Kane and Bolland. Sorry i just think Mayers is done and when there's not a need for a fighter he could have taken Bollig's spot.