Chicago Blackhawks 2012 Playoffs

[jersey cubs fan]

The season starts in 1 week. They have a home and home with Dallas. It's time to see if all that offseason rest makes a difference this season, and if any of those new acquisitions can help.

[Prizefight]

The division should be pretty good this year. The Hawks and Wings will be fighting for first all year. Probably a first to 104 points or so.

 

The Blues are going to better and will be a playoff team. Unfortunately, they still have a bunch of players who are nothing more than a giant bag of dicks.

 

Nashville will be new season and same story. Great D, but can they score enough? They easily could sneak into the playoffs again and become the ole' team no one wants to play.

 

 

Columbus adding Jeff Carter to go with Rick Nash becomes more dangerous. They really need Steve Mason to figure out if he's going to be good. I wouldn't be shocked seeing them competing for an #8 seed but it's not something I'd bet on.

 

 

I'll go,

 

Hawks

Wings

Blues

Nashville

Columbus

[kujay]

I agree with on the Blues finishing third in the division, but I don't necessarily think they make the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised at all if only the Hawks and Wings get in from the Central.

 

I like the Blues, but it always seems to be something with them. And if you want to talk about goalies who need to decide if they are good, I think Halak falls squarely into that category. If he plays up to his potential, watch out. Related to that, I think the Blues are a little thin on defense.

[Prizefight]

You're right in that it always seems to be something with them.

 

I think Halak will be better this year. TJ Oshie could be really good if he can just get consistent. I like the signings of Arnott and Langenbrunner who should be motivated on one year deals and provide some additional scoring.

 

 

I expect the Central to get 3 teams in, wouldn't be shocked at 4.

[mul21]

I agree with on the Blues finishing third in the division, but I don't necessarily think they make the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised at all if only the Hawks and Wings get in from the Central.

 

I like the Blues, but it always seems to be something with them. And if you want to talk about goalies who need to decide if they are good, I think Halak falls squarely into that category. If he plays up to his potential, watch out. Related to that, I think the Blues are a little thin on defense.

 

Is Perron still broken? That could be a big factor in whether or not they get to the post season.

[kujay]

I agree with on the Blues finishing third in the division, but I don't necessarily think they make the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised at all if only the Hawks and Wings get in from the Central.

 

I like the Blues, but it always seems to be something with them. And if you want to talk about goalies who need to decide if they are good, I think Halak falls squarely into that category. If he plays up to his potential, watch out. Related to that, I think the Blues are a little thin on defense.

 

Is Perron still broken? That could be a big factor in whether or not they get to the post season.

 

Apparently he re-joined the team this week, but I think I read that he literally hasn't done any athletic activity in almost a year. So I would think he'll be starting at Peoria for a bit.

[jersey cubs fan]

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been suspended for the remainder of the preseason plus five regular-season games for his hit to the head of Chicago's Ben Smith earlier this week.

 

Brendan Smith's suspension, without pay, covers a total of eight games. He loses $23,648.65 in salary.

 

Under new NHL senior vice president Brendan Shanahan -- who was a former Red Wings star -- eight players have been suspended since the preseason began, for a total of 26 preseason games, 29 regular-season games and $666,186.89 in forfeited salary.

 

"Obviously Shanny is taking this real serious," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "There's going to be an evolution, too. I think they're trying to do what they think is right. We didn't offer an opinion, we didn't phone them and lobby" for a lesser suspension for Smith

[kujay]

Wow. I figured he would get 2, maybe 3 games.

 

I have to admit, I think that's a little excessive.

[NewUserName]

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been suspended for the remainder of the preseason plus five regular-season games for his hit to the head of Chicago's Ben Smith earlier this week.

 

Brendan Smith's suspension, without pay, covers a total of eight games. He loses $23,648.65 in salary.

 

Under new NHL senior vice president Brendan Shanahan -- who was a former Red Wings star -- eight players have been suspended since the preseason began, for a total of 26 preseason games, 29 regular-season games and $666,186.89 in forfeited salary.

 

"Obviously Shanny is taking this real serious," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "There's going to be an evolution, too. I think they're trying to do what they think is right. We didn't offer an opinion, we didn't phone them and lobby" for a lesser suspension for Smith

 

Does this go to the AHL than? I am quite sure that Smith is going to the Griffins. The suspension seems high for what was obviously an accident. I understand the need to teach to not do it, but this kind of suspension seems more warranted for obvious dirty play.

[TruffleShuffle]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

[NewUserName]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

[Guest]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

it

was

an

intentional

cheap

shot

 

His own team threw the guy under the bus. Might be time for you to acknowledge it.

[Magnetic Curses]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

 

yes, ben should have had his head up, which would warrant a vicious check, not a blatant head shot.

[manbearcub]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

If he would have had his head up he would have got hit in the face instead of the side of the head.

[biittner77]

I'll admit I'm excited to see what Pirri can do in his audition as 4th line Center, especially since they have no other choice. Either he plays well enough to stick or he forces the team to get another center.

[NewUserName]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

it

was

an

intentional

cheap

shot

 

His own team threw the guy under the bus. Might be time for you to acknowledge it.

 

his GM called it reckless not intentional and I have said that he needs to be suspended. You are clearly being the homer here that you seem to be implying that I am. Also, just a random look around some other teams boards you will find that most fans of other teams think the suspension is out of line and the play was not dirty.

[minnesotacubsfan]

his GM called it reckless not intentional and I have said that he needs to be suspended. You are clearly being the homer here that you seem to be implying that I am. Also, just a random look around some other teams boards you will find that most fans of other teams think the suspension is out of line and the play was not dirty.

 

 

you also think that a "a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up" which is clearly stupid.

[NewUserName]

his GM called it reckless not intentional and I have said that he needs to be suspended. You are clearly being the homer here that you seem to be implying that I am. Also, just a random look around some other teams boards you will find that most fans of other teams think the suspension is out of line and the play was not dirty.

 

 

you also think that a "a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up" which is clearly stupid.

 

I will say that almost all hockey coaches at all levels teach players to keep their heads up. One of the main reasons is for their own safety. So not sure how clearly stupid that comment is, but whatever. I think the NHL needs to clean up head shots, and Shanny is doing it. I just hope he stays consistent with it, even when it comes to a star player in the playoffs. I just think in this case a 2 game suspension would have worked fine.

[minnesotacubsfan]

his GM called it reckless not intentional and I have said that he needs to be suspended. You are clearly being the homer here that you seem to be implying that I am. Also, just a random look around some other teams boards you will find that most fans of other teams think the suspension is out of line and the play was not dirty.

 

 

you also think that a "a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up" which is clearly stupid.

 

I will say that almost all hockey coaches at all levels teach players to keep their heads up. One of the main reasons is for their own safety. So not sure how clearly stupid that comment is, but whatever. I think the NHL needs to clean up head shots, and Shanny is doing it. I just hope he stays consistent with it, even when it comes to a star player in the playoffs. I just think in this case a 2 game suspension would have worked fine.

 

 

what you posted is still clearly stupid and ignores the real reason for the hit. The Detroit GM says it wasnt intentional, well no [expletive].

[TruffleShuffle]

the rules are different now. players have to learn to cut out the [expletive]. you can't hit people in the head; if you do you'll get a suspension and probably a pretty long one.

 

I understand, but I think a 2 game suspension for a 1st time offender in a play that was clearly not intentional would teach well. I think a better solution in this case would be to teach Ben Smith to make a play with his head up.

 

did you even watch the play? his head was up. watch it from 0:30 to 0:50 when it's in slow motion; his head is up pretty much the whole time, except possibly a split second before contact is made as he's making a move.

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2011/09/brendan_smith_suspended_five_r.html

 

 

i'll take brendan smith's word for it that he wasn't intentionally targeting the head, but given that there's an epidemic of concussions in hockey, something has to be done to get players to take this seriously. the issue wasn't skating with his head down, it's making a cut in a supposedly dangerous area of the ice. but the onus has to be on the checking player, not the offensive player. when ben smith cut, brendan smith had options, those being to cut as well and make a full body check, or just whiff and give him a scoring chance. the bottom line is that you can't just continue on your same path and drill a guy right in the head.

 

smith will lose something like $25k because of the suspension. james wisniewski (obvious dirty hit on clutterbuck) is losing something like half a million. so in addition to hurting their team by not being able to play for several games, they're also losing a big chunk of change. hopefully this gets the message through and the frequency of head shots starts going down.

[kujay]

Finally watched most of Friday's game this morning. That power play with Hossa-Saad-Pirri and Seabrook-Keith on the point was downright sexy. Those two kids can play. And Stalberg and Frolik could learn a thing or two from Pirri about finishing.

 

I'm pretty excited to see what this team can do, especially once Sharp comes back. They seem pretty well positioned to deal with injuries, with O'Donnell available as the 7th defenseman (assuming Lepisto is beating him out -- I assume that's the case?) and these young guys providing depth up front.

 

Just hope Crawford doesn't take a step back.

[Prizefight]

Kruger sent down. Expected because he has been not good, but it makes his call up and praise last year from Bowman look more ridiculous.

 

Also expected, Olsen, Hayes and LeBlanc sent down.

 

Minor surprise, Pirri sent down. Expect to see him with the big club sooner rather than later.

 

 

Still carrying 7 d-men and whatever you want to call John Scott.

[UMFan83]

I havent seen much preseason action, what are the projected lines looking like?

[Prizefight]

I havent seen much preseason action, what are the projected lines looking like?

 

Kind of a mess with injuries right now. If i HAD to guess, I'd go

 

Sharp-Toews-Saad

Hossa-Kane-Brunette

Frolik-Bolland-Bickell?

Carbomb-Mayers-Olesz?

 

Stalbergs/Smith injuries obviously change things.

 

 

 

Then D pairings are hopefully. These are the obvious top 6:

 

Keith-Seabs

Hammer-Leddy

Montador-O'Donnell

[biittner77]

I think Lepisto and O'Donnell will be pretty interchangeable on that last D pairing.

 

A lot depends on how well/ how long the Kane playing C experiment continues. Carbomb is suepnded the first 2 games so we'll see what happens with the 4th line.

 

The only thing that's settled is the 3rd line of Bolland, Frolik and Bickell. That should last at least a week before the Coach Q lineup lottery takes affect.