This might be the worst UFA year I can remember. I can't see the Hawks having the cash to re-sign Bickell, Kruger and Leddy AND make a big splash, barring a trade.

I bet you see them add a depth C though. Maybe a Boyd Gordon or Kyle Chipchura.
- andru2797

You can rule out a big splash, period. If they had gone out in the first round that would be more like McD's MO, but not a team that's in the Finals.

If they buyout Montador and Olesz and trade Bolland that frees up enough cash to resign everyone and probably add a lower cost defensive specialist replacement for Bolland. I doubt Stalberg is returning though. I also wouldn't be in a rush to pay Bickell anywhere near the amounts being proposed here/in the media. He's too inconsistent to be a $3 mil guy.

If the Hawks get outhit tonight 40-15, but have the puck for 40 minutes and outshoot the Bruins 40-20, I'll put my money on a W.
- andru2797

That's our m/o....when things are going right. But this Boston team, IMO, is the fastest and best forechecking team we've seen all year. They really close us down fast and force a lot of turnovers, especially by our shell shocked d corps.

Seabs has been terrible, I think its one of the few things the board as a hole agrees on. Re. Toews standards, thats a logical argument, he's expected and paid to do more and he absolutely has too, I just don't think calling people who still recognize that he's playing well "Toews' defenders" is necessarily fair. Q also sat the Hawk forward who is best suited to push the Bruins D back (Stals) for whatever reason. I was actually a pretty big fan of Leddy before the playoffs, but I think his game has slipped to way below where it was in the regular season. The turnovers seem more frequent and often under less pressure than when you would expect a d-man to turn it over. As far as the utilizing his speed, its hard to gain enough speed to enter the zone with one of the fastest defensmen in the league when he has a whole zone head start on you, that's why I think Leddy would be better served moving the puck up and joining the rush, even if he is the first guy to the net, drawing the Bruins D to him with his speed. And I've seen you mention before how they put "shackles" on Leddy in terms of him not rushing the puck, but I don't think that's exclusive to him, its part of the great defensive system the Hawks play, it just happens to hamper Leddy more because his speed is his greatest weapon.

Q's strength isn't development, but that's why they brought him in when Toews and Kane were good enough and mature enough (as players) to be parts of a championship core. Either way, the time to let Leddy develop isn't in the cup finals (or the playoffs). If the coaching staff doesn't feel he's playing well enough to deserve even ice-time with the other guys. Its hard to fault Q for giving Brent Seabrook more rope than Nick Leddy, just based on how important Seabs has been for Q since he became coach.
- rollpards19

Hey Rollie, nice post!

I agree with much of what you've written here. I think the only thing (for me) is the deal with Seabs - yes, he's been very important for us since Q took over. However, past performance shouldn't equate to a free pass in the present. IMO the biggest part of Leddy's problem is this coaching staff. Beyond Q I mean. You have 2 guys that can't really impart anything from their own experience in Kitchen and Kompon and Q was a journeyman (but has been a good coach). Al has noted this before, Seabs and Keith both had Trent Yawney to tutor them -- and in addition, they did not have the performance expectations the fans do today. They were able to learn under much less pressure.

I wouldn't be too hard on Leddy -- or Saad for that matter. I think both guys have earned their stripes and in Leddy's case, he's shown me enough to give him the chance to help. Q and his staff don't quite feel that way and in place, we have Seabs, who's been awful all year, pulling all those minutes. Leddy will never hit like Seabs, but then again, Leddy could skate the pants off Seabs going backwards to Seabs going forwards! And we know it's not contest when it involves a weave, Seabs would fall down on the 1st turn.

All I can hope for is they all play up to their abilities -- every one of our D men. Lots of not-so-good plays by them as an whole last game, lucky to only have 2 find net.

No problem man. You on the pessimistic or optimistic side of the coin tonight?
- rollpards19

Always want to look on the bright side of life Rollie....it's 1-1 but the tone around here sometimes makes you feel like we're down 3-1 and facing elimination.

Hawks have to PLAY 60 PHUCK'N MINUTES...not 20, not 25, not 35....but 60 and hopefully we regain control of this series.

That's our m/o....when things are going right. But this Boston team, IMO, is the fastest and best forechecking team we've seen all year. They really close us down fast and force a lot of turnovers, especially by our shell shocked d corps.
- philco28

Still think it can work. It just takes some film study and change. Look at what is being taken away and adjust. Instead of line juggling and playing chess games Q needs to have his assistants make adjustments. Even though they won the 1st game a lot of adjustments were needed breaking out of our own zone. I didn't see those adjustments, hopefully a loss will force them to pay attention to what is happening.

http://video.nhl.com/vide...0092010,2,645&event=BOS30

Sharp did in 2010
- Hemingways

In physics, impact is mass x velocity. It doesn't matter who it is as long as they're skating their ass off. Maybe that's what Carcillo plans on doing with his 4 minutes of ice time.

In physics, impact is mass x velocity. It doesn't matter who it is as long as they're skating their ass off. Maybe that's what Carcillo plans on doing with his 4 minutes of ice time.
- Lash8

If/when Carcillo ever plays again pay close attention to him, his lack of strength in his legs this year from injuries to both knees has really slowed him down. He has a heck of a time hitting someone on the boards because they just move out of the way, he's so slow to get to them. It's sad, I love the guy's game when he's healthy but he's been nowhere near healthy this year and shouldn't see the ice. Stalberg or Ben Smith are better options.

Still think it can work. It just takes some film study and change. Look at what is being taken away and adjust. Instead of line juggling and playing chess games Q needs to have his assistants make adjustments. Even though they won the 1st game a lot of adjustments were needed breaking out of our own zone. I didn't see those adjustments, hopefully a loss will force them to pay attention to what is happening.
- droe411

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.
- philco28

Agreed. I would submit that the odds of either team taking both games in Boston are about even...both can if they play up to their potential.

Hey Rollie, nice post!

I agree with much of what you've written here. I think the only thing (for me) is the deal with Seabs - yes, he's been very important for us since Q took over. However, past performance shouldn't equate to a free pass in the present. IMO the biggest part of Leddy's problem is this coaching staff. Beyond Q I mean. You have 2 guys that can't really impart anything from their own experience in Kitchen and Kompon and Q was a journeyman (but has been a good coach). Al has noted this before, Seabs and Keith both had Trent Yawney to tutor them -- and in addition, they did not have the performance expectations the fans do today. They were able to learn under much less pressure.

I wouldn't be too hard on Leddy -- or Saad for that matter. I think both guys have earned their stripes and in Leddy's case, he's shown me enough to give him the chance to help. Q and his staff don't quite feel that way and in place, we have Seabs, who's been awful all year, pulling all those minutes. Leddy will never hit like Seabs, but then again, Leddy could skate the pants off Seabs going backwards to Seabs going forwards! And we know it's not contest when it involves a weave, Seabs would fall down on the 1st turn.

All I can hope for is they all play up to their abilities -- every one of our D men. Lots of not-so-good plays by them as an whole last game, lucky to only have 2 find net.
- savvyone-1

Thanks man, was probably a little harsh in terms of the wording of the first post, but hey, even obsessed fans like us let emotions run high during the finals. As for Seabs' getting more minutes, some of it has to with balancing the D, and he plays the right side. I think Leddy and Keith would be fantastic d-partners, given Nick's speed to cover for Duncs when he misses on some pinches, and Duncs overall intelligence to cover for the mistakes all 21 year old Dmen are prone too, but I don't think Leddy is ready yet to play the off side on a top pairing. In the future I bet this is a pairing we see, but Q probably feels he's not ready for it yet (I'd tend to agree). All the d-men need to make better first passes tonight, its probably the greatest strength of the team. It lets them get out and skate, and pretty much makes every rush at least a 3 on 3, where our guys have the room to create. Teams talk about needing PMD and we have 6 (well 5 now that Seabs got his powers taken like the NBA players in Space Jam) and if they hit our forwards in stride, don't see the Hawks losing barring a drastic difference in goal tending

Yeah, still gladhanding yourself over how great a job your hero Stanley did constructing a playoff team?

Any player can play tough? No. Wrong. Completely. I'll taker a hit from a guy who weighs 175 over a guy who weighs 225 ANY DAY of the week. Motivation enters into it somewhat, but . . .
- John Jaeckel

ANY player can play tough.

You may be a size queen, but it's completely true that any guy can throw a hit and more importantly, play through getting hit. Examples: Frolik, Kruger. Bigger bodies make a bigger impact (duh), but at this point in the season, motivation and the will to win is much more of a factor than the "beef" you write about all season.

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.
- philco28

I think playing on the road can help this team, simplify and play solid team D.

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.
- philco28

Nailed this one Phil. Case in point, the late goal in Game 2 against the Kings in the first period really put the Kings on their heels, and they were able to chase Quick when they had a little more room to breathe in the second, and were able to put the game away early. I feel like the same thing could have happened Saturday, but they couldn't get separation, and the longer you play with a one goal lead, its just human nature to become more defensive than offensive

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.
- philco28

It doesn't have very much to do with mental mindset and a lot more to do with moving your feet for 60 minutes and clearing the puck out of your own zone as fast as possible to disturb the Bruin forecheck. If they don't do that, the defence corps gets ground into mush.

I'm not rallying for them to fail. I am actually hoping they sack up like they did against DET and find that next level they seem to sporadically roll out.

I also think the lack of success on the power play has something to do with the lack of physical game as well as the tried and tired umbrella. Have to have someone willing to take a cross check to the head from Chara while standing in front of Rask.
- Return of the Roar

The Hawks do not use an umbrella. If they used an umbrella like say Pittsburgh they would score considerably more.

If Toews or Hossa took the puck from down low cut towards the crease and started ripping low hard shots or stuffing the puck then they would score considerably more. If Kane moved off the boards, walked to the middle of the circle and started ripping shots they would score considerably more on the power play.

They play this BS back door home run crap that is maddening. Have zero movement down low, through the crease or at the blue line. That is zero player movement and pucks directed towards net movement. And to be perfectly honest I think the guys on the ice are idiots for continuing to do the same stuff game in and out that doesn't work. It is absurd. At a certain point you need to be a player if the stick is on your blade (Toews, Hossa, Kane) and stir stuff up.

An umbrella looks like this and it works real good:

The Hawks do not use an umbrella. If they used an umbrella like say Pittsburgh they would score considerably more.

If Toews or Hossa took the puck from down low cut towards the crease and started ripping low hard shots or stuffing the puck then they would score considerably more. If Kane moved off the boards, walked to the middle of the circle and started ripping shots they would score considerably more on the power play.

They play this BS back door home run crap that is maddening. Have zero movement down low, through the crease or at the blue line. That is zero player movement and pucks directed towards net movement. And to be perfectly honest I think the guys on the ice are idiots for continuing to do the same stuff game in and out that doesn't work. It is absurd. At a certain point you need to be a player if the stick is on your blade (Toews, Hossa, Kane) and stir stuff up.

An umbrella looks like this and it works real good:

- fattybeef

You can't play an umbrella without a point man. The Hawks need to play more of an overload game and funnel the puck through Kane on the half boards. He can find open guys with ease; give him the time and space (by outnumbering Boston on that side) to do so.

You can't play an umbrella without a point man. The Hawks need to play more of an overload game and funnel the puck through Kane on the half boards. He can find open guys with ease; give him the time and space (by outnumbering Boston on that side) to do so.
- andru2797

They run an overload already

This team has a terrible and highly annoying habit of getting sucker punched...i.e. dominating for long stretches, getting none or just one...then getting scored on and then laying back. They better come with a stronger mental mindset on the road.
- philco28

People on this board have a highly annoying habit of getting too discouraged after every single loss and micro analyzing every little single aspect of every single mistake like it is the end of the world.

Two best teams in the league. Both went to overtime. Both have made each other pay for mistakes. Both have missed making the other team pay.

Really could not have scripted a better finals.

Times of absolutely brilliant hockey from both teams. Times of lackluster play by both teams. It has been a joy to watch and this team has been great to watch for most of the year.

Unless Crawford gets chased or a major injury happens then this is going to be a tight and exciting series. I suggest y'all start enjoying it for what it is instead of getting pissy for what the Hawks may not be. Because.Its.The.Cup.

The Hawks do not use an umbrella. If they used an umbrella like say Pittsburgh they would score considerably more.

If Toews or Hossa took the puck from down low cut towards the crease and started ripping low hard shots or stuffing the puck then they would score considerably more. If Kane moved off the boards, walked to the middle of the circle and started ripping shots they would score considerably more on the power play.

They play this BS back door home run crap that is maddening. Have zero movement down low, through the crease or at the blue line. That is zero player movement and pucks directed towards net movement. And to be perfectly honest I think the guys on the ice are idiots for continuing to do the same stuff game in and out that doesn't work. It is absurd. At a certain point you need to be a player if the stick is on your blade (Toews, Hossa, Kane) and stir stuff up.


- fattybeef

The reason that the backdoor Sharp play used to work is the defenseman in front of the net would be so concerned that Toews was going to stuff it in that he'd commit to Toews coming off the goal line, this would leave Buff (or whomever) open in front of the net, forcing the weak side winger to come collapse on him, which would leave the back door cut wide open for Sharp. Part of the problem is Toews (or Hossa or Kane) seem to be more reluctant to take the puck right to the blue paint to force the defense to react. If they insist on running the same scheme, it should be Hossa and Seabs on the point, Kane on the half boards, Toews on the goaline popping out, and Shaw in front (needs to be a righty)

You can't play an umbrella without a point man. The Hawks need to play more of an overload game and funnel the puck through Kane on the half boards. He can find open guys with ease; give him the time and space (by outnumbering Boston on that side) to do so.
- andru2797

I disagree. They are a puck possession and movement team and that would drastically open up space, confuse defenders and free up players in the circles and slot for shots.

What spectacular guy does Edmonton have sitting on the point or who do the Islanders stick in the middle?

Put in a position to move laterally and not have the burden of ripping shots through a standing wall of players that is probably a role that you see Keith excel instead of fail at.

I disagree. They are a puck possession and movement team and that would drastically open up space, confuse defenders and free up players in the circles and slot for shots.

What spectacular guy does Edmonton have sitting on the point or who do the Islanders stick in the middle?

Put in a position to move laterally and not have the burden of ripping shots through a standing wall of players that is probably a role that you see Keith excel instead of fail at.
- fattybeef

Oilers: Justin Schultz
Islanders: Streit and/or Visnovsky

Better pure PP QBs than anyone the Hawks have.

People on this board have a highly annoying habit of getting too discouraged after every single loss and micro analyzing every little single aspect of every single mistake like it is the end of the world.

Two best teams in the league. Both went to overtime. Both have made each other pay for mistakes. Both have missed making the other team pay.

Really could not have scripted a better finals.

Times of absolutely brilliant hockey from both teams. Times of lackluster play by both teams. It has been a joy to watch and this team has been great to watch for most of the year.

Unless Crawford gets chased or a major injury happens then this is going to be a tight and exciting series. I suggest y'all start enjoying it for what it is instead of getting pissy for what the Hawks may not be. Because.Its.The.Cup.
- fattybeef

I agree with you for the most part.

The thing is, you could make the argument that the Hawks got INSANELY lucky in game 1. Oduya's tying goal was a fluke that obviously won't happen 99/100 times. Then in the OTs the B's had chance after chance to end it. I know they didn't, but the pucks gotta start going their way eventually.

So there is a tad cause for concern if you use the argument that the B's still outplayed the Hawks in game 1 as well as game 2.

As you said, these are the 2 best teams and it's still going to be an exciting series but it could also explain why there is negativity here. It's one thing to dominate one game then drop the second but both games in this series leaned in the B's favor IMO.

People on this board have a highly annoying habit of getting too discouraged after every single loss and micro analyzing every little single aspect of every single mistake like it is the end of the world.

Two best teams in the league. Both went to overtime. Both have made each other pay for mistakes. Both have missed making the other team pay.

Really could not have scripted a better finals.

Times of absolutely brilliant hockey from both teams. Times of lackluster play by both teams. It has been a joy to watch and this team has been great to watch for most of the year.

Unless Crawford gets chased or a major injury happens then this is going to be a tight and exciting series. I suggest y'all start enjoying it for what it is instead of getting pissy for what the Hawks may not be. Because.Its.The.Cup.
- fattybeef

Oilers: Justin Schultz
Islanders: Streit and/or Visnovsky

Better pure PP QBs than anyone the Hawks have.
- andru2797

The Oilers run a 1-3-1 (like the Caps) and what the Hawks should run. Its the best way to score on today's PK's, but you need shooters, and the Hawks don't have a one timer guy

People on this board have a highly annoying habit of getting too discouraged after every single loss and micro analyzing every little single aspect of every single mistake like it is the end of the world.

Two best teams in the league. Both went to overtime. Both have made each other pay for mistakes. Both have missed making the other team pay.

Really could not have scripted a better finals.

Times of absolutely brilliant hockey from both teams. Times of lackluster play by both teams. It has been a joy to watch and this team has been great to watch for most of the year.

Unless Crawford gets chased or a major injury happens then this is going to be a tight and exciting series. I suggest y'all start enjoying it for what it is instead of getting pissy for what the Hawks may not be. Because.Its.The.Cup.
- fattybeef

Nice advice. I do think sports fans so enamored of their own team forget that there are two teams competing--the Bruins want to win too!

It's not like the Blackhawks are indisputably the better team. And one more thing: recall all of the tight games that the Blackhawks played during the year--including during the "streak." Now it's a bigger stage--and there isn't any getting one point for an OT/SO loss. It seems to me that the playoffs (aside from a couple games) have gone pretty much like the regular season. They are in a lot of tight games, they get outhit most of the time, and they're winning most of them.

The jury is still out, however, as to whether their style can win them the Cup. They beat the Kings, ostensibly a tougher, harder hitting team, and I publicly repented for my doubts; can they do it with the Bruins? We shall see.