Re: 2009 Chicago Blackhawks

[UMFan83]

2007 Anaheim: 10-17-1 from Dec. 23 to Feb. 23

 

2006 Carolina: 9-11-2 from March 10 to April 24, including losing their first 2 playoff games

 

2005 Tampa Bay: 5-15-5 from Nov. 25 to Jan. 6

 

Nooo stop it we suck and will never get it together. They should just decline a postseason bid if they are selected for one.

[kujay]

Damn that sucks about Campbell. And of course, it's too late to do anything about it.

 

All I can say is the secondary guys better start finding the net. That means you Versteeg, Ladd, Buff, and even the 4th line.

[Soul]

I find it interesting that a mere 3 years ago nobody even cared what the Blackhawks were doing, and now they're tearing their hair out because there might be a few obstacles and good teams in our way to getting to the Stanley Cup finals.

 

Chicago sports is fun 8-)

[Drew Doughty]

another thing- anybody else feel like seabrook has taken a big step back?

 

I think Seabrook and Keith have taken a big step back. Keith not as big, but his turnovers in our zone are very visible mistakes. Seabrook has looked pretty bad as the year has gone on. Honestly with their regressions, Campbells injury and the presence of Sopel in general, I'm wondering if defensemen, not goaltending, is the biggest weakness on this team.

 

you guys give up like 4 shots a game. defense ain't your problem.

[Flames24Rulz]

another thing- anybody else feel like seabrook has taken a big step back?

 

I think Seabrook and Keith have taken a big step back. Keith not as big, but his turnovers in our zone are very visible mistakes. Seabrook has looked pretty bad as the year has gone on. Honestly with their regressions, Campbells injury and the presence of Sopel in general, I'm wondering if defensemen, not goaltending, is the biggest weakness on this team.

 

you guys give up like 4 shots a game. defense ain't your problem.

 

The defense overall is a solid group, but they make some real inexplicable mistakes in their own end which obviously leads to great scoring chances for the opponent. The shots on goal are miniscule, but the defense almost has to play picture-perfect to make up for that one giant deficiency we have.

 

The loss of Campbell is crushing. I'm not very confident in seeing Sopel and Hendry out there for extended periods of time.

[Soul]

Campbell was never regarded as one of our best players though. People have complained about his play quite a bit. I don't see how losing him is crushing to us. It can be overcome.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Campbell was never regarded as one of our best players though. People have complained about his play quite a bit. I don't see how losing him is crushing to us. It can be overcome.

 

People who didn't regard Campbell as one of our best players were being stupid because he's overpaid.

 

When a guy is worth $5 million and gets $7 million instead, they start acting like he's worthless.

 

Campbell is a first-pairing defenseman on most teams and having him on the second pairing was a very good strength for us.

 

In terms of importance, I'd place him roughly equal with Sharp, behind Keith, Toews, Kane, Hossa and Seabrook.

[NewUserName]

Campbell was never regarded as one of our best players though. People have complained about his play quite a bit. I don't see how losing him is crushing to us. It can be overcome.

 

I agree that there is no need to panic. Campbell is way overpaid, but he is a real good 3rd dman. So I think he will be missed, especially since there is a huge drop off in quality after Hjarmalsson. But as long as he is back by the 2nd round it shouldnt be an issue.

 

I think if Blackhawks fans should take note that many of the top teams are not exactly cutting a rug right now. I think these are the types of spells that real Stanley Cup contenders will be able to work themselves out of. If the Hawks dont overcome it, they were probably just pretenders all along.

[Soul]

Campbell was never regarded as one of our best players though. People have complained about his play quite a bit. I don't see how losing him is crushing to us. It can be overcome.

 

People who didn't regard Campbell as one of our best players were being stupid because he's overpaid.

 

When a guy is worth $5 million and gets $7 million instead, they start acting like he's worthless.

 

Campbell is a first-pairing defenseman on most teams and having him on the second pairing was a very good strength for us.

 

In terms of importance, I'd place him roughly equal with Sharp, behind Keith, Toews, Kane, Hossa and Seabrook.

 

OK. I guess we're about to find out if he was real important.........whether we like it or not.

[UMFan83]

another thing- anybody else feel like seabrook has taken a big step back?

 

I think Seabrook and Keith have taken a big step back. Keith not as big, but his turnovers in our zone are very visible mistakes. Seabrook has looked pretty bad as the year has gone on. Honestly with their regressions, Campbells injury and the presence of Sopel in general, I'm wondering if defensemen, not goaltending, is the biggest weakness on this team.

 

you guys give up like 4 shots a game. defense ain't your problem.

 

It is when 3 of them go in. We generally do a good job of limiting shots, and that's been our philosophy all year. But theres more to defense than just limiting shots. We've done a horrible job clearing the puck out of our zone lately, and just limiting turnovers in the zone in general. Yes sometimes a team just executes properly, or a good player will go 1 on 1 with our guys and make a good move and shot. But when you turn over the puck on offense while trying to clear, you are greatly increasing the odds of a high percentage shot on goal.

 

Think of it like a pitching staff with a low WHIP. That's an indicator that the pitching is good, but it's not the sole factor for evaluating pitchers. This is a rare case, but if a pitcher has a 1.10 WHIP, but gives up 45 home runs in the year and has a 4.50+ era, he's obviously not as strong of a pitcher as his WHIP suggests. At least that's how I look at it.

Edited March 15, 2010 by UMFan83

[Flames24Rulz]

Campbell was never regarded as one of our best players though. People have complained about his play quite a bit. I don't see how losing him is crushing to us. It can be overcome.

 

His contract absolutely blows. His play last year was very pedestrian.

 

But his play this season has been very good. I think he's been our second best defenseman all season long. He's definitely not worthy of the contract that he received but I really don't see how we can really overcome his departure. The front line defense is fine and Hjalmarsson is good too. After that, your depth really gets tested and watered down with the loss of Campbell.

[Flames24Rulz]

another thing- anybody else feel like seabrook has taken a big step back?

 

I think Seabrook and Keith have taken a big step back. Keith not as big, but his turnovers in our zone are very visible mistakes. Seabrook has looked pretty bad as the year has gone on. Honestly with their regressions, Campbells injury and the presence of Sopel in general, I'm wondering if defensemen, not goaltending, is the biggest weakness on this team.

 

you guys give up like 4 shots a game. defense ain't your problem.

 

It is when 3 of them go in. We generally do a good job of limiting shots, and that's been our philosophy all year. But theres more to defense than just limiting shots. We've done a horrible job clearing the puck out of our zone lately, and just limiting turnovers in the zone in general. Yes sometimes a team just executes properly, or a good player will go 1 on 1 with our guys and make a good move and shot. But when you turn over the puck on offense while trying to clear, you are greatly increasing the odds of a high percentage shot on goal.

 

Think of it like a pitching staff with a low WHIP. That's a very good indicator that the pitching is good, but it's not the sole factor for evaluating pitchers. This is a rare case, but if a pitcher has a 1.10 WHIP, but gives up 45 home runs in the year and has a 4.50+ era, he's obviously not as strong of a pitcher as his WHIP suggests. At least that's how I look at it.

 

That's a much better job of illustrating my point.

[biittner77]

It's funny how different the perceptions are. During the game the announcers were praising the Hawks defense which a lot of people here are saying is terrible. Some are complaining about Seabrook who seems like he's been doing better lately and praising Hjalmarsson who made some really bad mistakes this weekend.

 

At least we can agree that Sobel is bad.

[Soul]

It's funny how different the perceptions are. During the game the announcers were praising the Hawks defense which a lot of people here are saying is terrible. Some are complaining about Seabrook who seems like he's been doing better lately and praising Hjalmarsson who made some really bad mistakes this weekend.

 

At least we can agree that Sobel is bad.

 

Even my untrained hockey eye can see that :)

[brinoch]

Sopel is ... not good. He's also glacially slow.

[kujay]

Sopel makes the occasional good play and he has shown a willingness to get in front of shots, but yeah, he gets worked way too often.

 

The Boynton trade looks pretty smart about now, eh?

[kujay]

Good news, the Versus/Directv dispute is over:

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/15/sports/la-sp-directv-versus-20100316

 

I never thought they would let this bleed into the playoffs, but relieved to see it's over.

[Drew Doughty]

sopel is really bad. the only reason he blocks shots is because he's too slow to get out of the way.

 

he does have a cannon shot though. that's his only positive.

[jersey cubs fan]

Good news, the Versus/Directv dispute is over:

 

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/15/sports/la-sp-directv-versus-20100316

 

I never thought they would let this bleed into the playoffs, but relieved to see it's over.

 

Turned it on last night for no good reason, just to confirm it was back.

[Soul]

I looked back a little way and didn't see it posted:

 

Ovechkin was suspended for 2 games for the Campbell hit.

[biittner77]

Just realized I typed Sobel instead of Sopel. Every time I hear his name I think of Band of Brothers.

 

Really good news abot Versus.

[kujay]

I looked back a little way and didn't see it posted:

 

Ovechkin was suspended for 2 games for the Campbell hit.

 

And most of the opinion I've read was that it wasn't warranted. I agree.

 

I hate it when the NHL looks at the outcome of a play to decide the punishment. No question, if Campbell had gotten up and not been hurt, Ovie would not have been suspended. That's ass backwards.

[Soul]

I read a couple blurbs about it, and apparently Versus didn't get what they were asking for.

[jersey cubs fan]

I looked back a little way and didn't see it posted:

 

Ovechkin was suspended for 2 games for the Campbell hit.

 

And most of the opinion I've read was that it wasn't warranted. I agree.

 

I hate it when the NHL looks at the outcome of a play to decide the punishment. No question, if Campbell had gotten up and not been hurt, Ovie would not have been suspended. That's ass backwards.

 

I understand that sentiment, but I don't understanding how people can claim that wasn't a dirty hit, and that sort of thing shouldn't be punished. You shouldn't be able to shove a guy from behind into the boards. There's plenty of opportunity for big clean hits throughout the game, and any claims that this is a softening of the game is nonsense. Also, I have to say I don't have a problem with the punishment depending on the severity of the results of your actions. It happens all the time in all walks of life. You want to play like a jackass, well, you are going to be liable in some way shape or form for the consequences of your actions.

[jersey cubs fan]

I read a couple blurbs about it, and apparently Versus didn't get what they were asking for.

 

It probably doesn't make sense but I was thinking it was all about Comcast embarrassing rival directv or getting directv subscribers upset with their provider.