Who's in net for the Pens tonight?
- tvetter

Not Fleury

Opening game of the season and no Blackhawks blog....very disappointing.

Opening game of the season and no Blackhawks blog....very disappointing.
- EnzoD

No comments either. Not sure what's up.

Opening game of the season and no Blackhawks blog....very disappointing.
- EnzoD

I know right, like whats going on? Who's playing? Where are the updates? Even the Pens blog doesn't give you anything other than "The Penguins will be back in action tonight against another Central Division foe. They will be taking on the Chicago Blackhawks." Thats it. Nothing else. And as you mentioned no Hawks blog at all.

The freakin' Penguins VS the freakin' Blackhawks, the Hawks opener, the 2 biggest draws in the league.....and not a peep from anyone on a website called HOCKEYBUZZ C'mon man....

BOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!!

I'm switching over to HFboards!!

Anyone else a little worried about JJ? No post about the first game yet, and he hasn't even had any comments on the old thread today??
- ToewsdNKanefusd

yeah, I am. I hope it is just that he got pulled into his day job and nothing more serious.

Not real confident in these line combo ,I know Q will turn on the blender ,after it's to late and we are playing from behind . He has had all pre-season to make judgments and he can't . Digging his own grave ,,

yeah, I am. I hope it is just that he got pulled into his day job and nothing more serious.
- matt_ahrens

Lots of stuff more important than Hockey I'm sure everything is okay.

Not real confident in these line combo ,I know Q will turn on the blender ,after it's to late and we are playing from behind . He has had all pre-season to make judgments and he can't . Digging his own grave ,,
- oldduffman

That makes no sense. These are the lines he chose after pre-season. They've been the same for the last 3 practices.

Not real confident in these line combo ,I know Q will turn on the blender ,after it's to late and we are playing from behind . He has had all pre-season to make judgments and he can't . Digging his own grave ,,
- oldduffman

What's not to like about the line combos other than Bouma being in what should be Hinostroza's spot?

I'm more concerned about our defense and how they'll do against the leagues most potent offense.

Lots of stuff more important than Hockey I'm sure everything is okay.
- SimpleJack

Very true.

Not real confident in these line combo ,I know Q will turn on the blender ,after it's to late and we are playing from behind . He has had all pre-season to make judgments and he can't . Digging his own grave ,,
- oldduffman

Are you OK?? You don't seem like your typical uber-positive self??

EDIT:

But here is an interesting option to balance the scoring even more among the top 3 forward lines....

Debrincat-Toews-Panik
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Hartman

Are you OK?? You don't seem like your typical uber-positive self??
- EnzoD

I've been hearing that a lot lately myself

I think with some of us optimists its tough to ignore the major changes made in our roster, especially on defense, and its time to start having doubts and questioning things more often because the fact is the Hawks are no longer the unstoppable force they once were. The core has aged and times have changed. BUT.....there is still a glimmer of hope....

I like the Hawks chances tonight. Pens played last night and I think most of the Hawks vets are still PO'd from their finish. My prediction is a fast start and a goal from Panik on a rebound.

What's not to like about the line combos other than Bouma being in what should be Hinostroza's spot?

I'm more concerned about our defense and how they'll do against the leagues most potent offense.
- SimpleJack

I've not been a big Hinostroza fan in the past, but I think he's earned a shot on the 4th line. My guess is that one of Bouma or Wingels won't finish the season with the Hawks but Vinnie will.

Anyone have lines yet for tonight??
- Assman22

I just did a few 20 minutes ago. Starting to come down now, though...

I've been hearing that a lot lately myself

I think with some of us optimists its tough to ignore the major changes made in our roster, especially on defense, and its time to start having doubts and questioning things more often because the fact is the Hawks are no longer the unstoppable force they once were. The core has aged and times have changed. BUT.....there is still a glimmer of hope....
- SimpleJack

Change brings uncertainty, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

In order to keep the window of opportunity open there needs to be roster turnover and that include some of the core players. The only guys I expect to finish their contracts in Chicago are Toews, Kane, Keith and Crawford. I wouldn't be surprised if Seabrook did as well but he'd be the next of the core to go.

The team has lost a lot of talent over the years. But let's be hopeful that some of the young guys can step up an make a difference.

Are you OK?? You don't seem like your typical uber-positive self??

EDIT:

But here is an interesting option to balance the scoring even more among the top 3 forward lines....

Debrincat-Toews-Panik
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sharp-Anisimov-Hartman
- EnzoD

It will be really interesting to see what Q does if Kane's line struggles to begin the season. I would guess the first change would be at center, but maybe you see what you are saying here, or maybe Hayden jumps up a bit. The first five games will be really interesting to watch. Let's hope for a better showing than what Winnipeg threw out there last night...

High hopes for Rutta...gonna be a period of adjustment, but dude was a rock in pre-season
- kwolf68

Just create a bookmark for JJ's page. Then you don't have to deal with everybody else's blogs knocking him off the front page.

Anyone watch the Jets-Leafs game last night? Just curious how Dano fared. His line of 8 mins and a -1 rating don't say much. I know the game was a disaster, but just curious if his skating/play has improved much. Always liked his game in general, but I get why he was traded.

It will be really interesting to see what Q does if Kane's line struggles to begin the season. I would guess the first change would be at center, but maybe you see what you are saying here, or maybe Hayden jumps up a bit. The first five games will be really interesting to watch. Let's hope for a better showing than what Winnipeg threw out there last night...
- Chunk

Hayden could also be a nice Physical presence on the forecheck/blue paint with Kane/Schmaltz if Hartman struggles. 2 more hours until Puck Drop!!!!

Anyone watch the Jets-Leafs game last night? Just curious how Dano fared. His line of 8 mins and a -1 rating don't say much. I know the game was a disaster, but just curious if his skating/play has improved much. Always liked his game in general, but I get why he was traded.
- Chunk

The Leafs are going to score A LOT of goals this year. Everyone who picked Winnipeg to be ahead of the Hawks in the Central forgot that Team Defense and Goal-tending are more important than a high scoring forward group.

I've not been a big Hinostroza fan in the past, but I think he's earned a shot on the 4th line. My guess is that one of Bouma or Wingels won't finish the season with the Hawks but Vinnie will.
- DarthKane

This is what I'm hoping for, I think ultimately a "4th" line of Hinostroza-Kero-Hartman would be a NIGHTMARE for opposing teams to matchup with. Hayden and ADB can occupy the spots at 2RW and 3LW. That's very impressive forward depth IMO, compared to even the Penguins(after they add a bottom 6C and Hornqvist returns from injury) and Maple Leafs.

The Leafs are going to score A LOT of goals this year. Everyone who picked Winnipeg to be ahead of the Hawks in the Central forgot that Team Defense and Goal-tending are more important than a high scoring forward group.
- EnzoD

I think they're also going to give up quite a few. Still not sold on their D/goaltending.

I just did a few 20 minutes ago. Starting to come down now, though...
- 4_in_7

Well maybe you should have given some to Hudler n then he wouldn't have peed on the food tray