Chicago Blackhawks 2012 Playoffs

[Prizefight]

Bolland apparently isn't really healthy, which then leads thhttp://www.northsidebaseball.com/forum/search.php?search_id=newpostse question to has he ever been healthy?

 

He's still a young guy to have a constant stream of injuries. I'm sure some of the inconsistencies in his game are a result of the shuffling/bad wingers around him. But he just looks indifferent most of the time.

 

What's most frustrating is how crucial he was to that Stanley Cup run. I'm not ready to give up on him, but I think Stan really needs to evaluate what type of player he needs around him to make him effect.

 

 

As an aside, I really miss Brian Campbell.

[17 Seconds]

Sharp out 3-4 weeks.

 

wow we're so fucked

 

the worst part is that this is the stretch where this team needed to be racking up points. tons of home games, lots of easy opponents (like edmonton and colorado). what's going to happen when they go on that brutal 9 game road trip in a few weeks? it could get really ugly.

Edited January 10, 2012 by 17 Seconds

[17 Seconds]

Hopefully the Sharp injury actually forces Bowman to make a move. The weaknesses on this team have really been showing during this stretch.

 

he'll probably add another "tough guy" and ignore adding talent. just like the offseason.

[Butterscup1679666578]

toews is [expletive] hurt now great

[Butterscup1679666578]

oh thank god toews back on the bench

[E.J.]

A win? Yay?

[Soul]

Well, it's nice to stop the mini-slide, even if it's one night.

 

Also, pretty good night for Illinois sports in general. I'll take it :)

[UMFan83]

Hopefully the Sharp injury actually forces Bowman to make a move. The weaknesses on this team have really been showing during this stretch.

 

he'll probably add another "tough guy" and ignore adding talent. just like the offseason.

 

true, and his stupid offseason improved the hawks to 2nd in the conference at the moment.

[17 Seconds]

depends on what you mean by "improved". they have a better record, but i don't think they're a better team. the goal differential has been catching up to them.

 

they were a more skilled team last year with better defense and better goaltending (although the goaltending isn't the FO's fault), they just happened to blow a lot of close games last season.

[kujay]

depends on what you mean by "improved". they have a better record, but i don't think they're a better team. the goal differential has been catching up to them.

 

they were a more skilled team last year with better defense and better goaltending (although the goaltending isn't the FO's fault), they just happened to blow a lot of close games last season.

 

This team is definitely better than last year's. The secondary scoring and just overall, the 3rd and 4th lines have been far improved. Now, that's more thanks to Stalberg than it is Brunette.

 

So I guess what I'm saying is the team is better but I don't think the new signings are the reason for it. Hossa, Sharp and Toews have been better.

[UMFan83]

Brunette's been disappointing for sure, but he's still on pace for something like 35-40 points this year. And as much as people like to criticize the "toughness" acquisitions, it has benefited the team. The disappointing thing about the Blackhawks this year has been the defense. I think with the additions we made to the 2nd and 3rd defensive pairing we'd be much deeper, but I still see the same things that plagued the Hawks last year like turnovers. Bad goaltending is a reason too, but the result is only 3 teams in the West have allowed more goals than the Hawks.

 

I still contend this team is overall better and deeper, and the ultimate reason why the team improved in the offseason will be (hopefully) felt when we make an acquisition due to our cap space in the next 6 weeks.

[Flames24Rulz]

Brunette's been disappointing for sure, but he's still on pace for something like 35-40 points this year. And as much as people like to criticize the "toughness" acquisitions, it has benefited the team. The disappointing thing about the Blackhawks this year has been the defense. I think with the additions we made to the 2nd and 3rd defensive pairing we'd be much deeper, but I still see the same things that plagued the Hawks last year like turnovers. Bad goaltending is a reason too, but the result is only 3 teams in the West have allowed more goals than the Hawks.

 

I still contend this team is overall better and deeper, and the ultimate reason why the team improved in the offseason will be (hopefully) felt when we make an acquisition due to our cap space in the next 6 weeks.

 

I agree. There are noticeable concerns that this team has, but they're in a far better situation this year as opposed to last year right now. Crawford was exceptionally good last year and he was the primary reason why the Hawks were able to make the playoffs. There were numerous games last year where the defense played poorly and he bailed them out. Shoring up the defensive depth will make the goaltending situation much better than what we've been seeing the last couple of months.

 

I think another top 6 forward would be nice, but this team's fourth line is much better than last season's. We're in a good spot as far as deadline deals go. Eventually, Bowman will make a move. I just hope it's a bigger splash than Chris Campoli.

[UMFan83]

Not that it means much but Barry Melrose picked the Blackhawks to play the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals this season.

[kujay]

Brunette's been disappointing for sure, but he's still on pace for something like 35-40 points this year. And as much as people like to criticize the "toughness" acquisitions, it has benefited the team. The disappointing thing about the Blackhawks this year has been the defense. I think with the additions we made to the 2nd and 3rd defensive pairing we'd be much deeper, but I still see the same things that plagued the Hawks last year like turnovers. Bad goaltending is a reason too, but the result is only 3 teams in the West have allowed more goals than the Hawks.

 

I still contend this team is overall better and deeper, and the ultimate reason why the team improved in the offseason will be (hopefully) felt when we make an acquisition due to our cap space in the next 6 weeks.

 

I agree. There are noticeable concerns that this team has, but they're in a far better situation this year as opposed to last year right now. Crawford was exceptionally good last year and he was the primary reason why the Hawks were able to make the playoffs. There were numerous games last year where the defense played poorly and he bailed them out. Shoring up the defensive depth will make the goaltending situation much better than what we've been seeing the last couple of months.

 

I think another top 6 forward would be nice, but this team's fourth line is much better than last season's. We're in a good spot as far as deadline deals go. Eventually, Bowman will make a move. I just hope it's a bigger splash than Chris Campoli.

 

I guess the problem is, how do you fix the defense? Keith and Seabrook aren't going anywhere. Do you trade a Leddy or Hammer? I mean, I don't really think Montador and/or O'Donnell are the problem, unless we assume that the top four guys have to play more minutes and wear out and make mistakes because those guys suck and Q doesn't trust them. I just see it as dumb mistakes by the top 4 guys, mainly Hammer. Which I agree with whoever said it a few days ago -- that dude gives you very little on the offensive side -- so you can't have him making mistakes in the defensive zone.

 

I'm not at all in favor of dumping Leddy at this point, by the way. He's still improving.

[kujay]

What a terrible rebound given up by Emery.

[UMFan83]

No comments on the Hawks dominating 2nd period? They are up 4-1 now.

[UMFan83]

Also, I heard today that 3 Hawks made the All Star team: Kane, Hossa, Toews. I think Kane went in on name recognition alone. Not that he's having a bad year but there are a lot of worthy forwards out there and I thought he'd be squeezed out.

[kujay]

No comments on the Hawks dominating 2nd period? They are up 4-1 now.

 

Hayes and Shaw are players. Gotta love that we've got these kind of guys ready to come up and contribute.

 

As for Kane making the all star team, sharp was more deserving. Though his injury may have hurt his chances.

[kujay]

STL-VAN is a three-point game. Figures.

[UMFan83]

No comments on the Hawks dominating 2nd period? They are up 4-1 now.

 

Hayes and Shaw are players. Gotta love that we've got these kind of guys ready to come up and contribute.

 

As for Kane making the all star team, sharp was more deserving. Though his injury may have hurt his chances.

 

Great trade for Bowman to acquire Hayes. He was a 1st round pick by Toronto the year before and the Hawks gave up a 2nd rounder to get him. Funny thing is, his brother was thought to be the better prospect I believe. One of the reasons the Hawks made that trade was because they drafted his brother in the 1st round of that draft.

[UMFan83]

STL-VAN is a three-point game. Figures.

 

At least they lost a point. Detroit got 2 tonight as well. I guess its far enough into the season to start seriously following the other teams.

[17 Seconds]

good win. i hope we're sticking with crawford though.

[WrigleyField 22]

Dropping in to say I just got back from my first ever Hawks game and their games have to be the best atmosphere in Chicago sports. Awesome experience. Fun game to attend.

[UMFan83]

Dropping in to say I just got back from my first ever Hawks game and their games have to be the best atmosphere in Chicago sports. Awesome experience. Fun game to attend.

 

Agreed.

[kujay]

good win. i hope we're sticking with crawford though.