[A] Building Confidence: CHI 3, STL 1

[the canadian dream]

Had to work didnt see the game just watched the highlites and some replay.



Its a good win and I liked the gruffness at the end of the game.



Hawks are starting to show some emotion again.



I figured a 3-1 score means Craw played well. I only saw the goal against and it wasn't the best puck covering job but meh it was a questionable goal anyways. Almost had the SO...almost.



Happy with the outcome. Hockey Day In America sucks though. Were not many good games on ole NBC today. Not sure if its the best idea to try and sell hockey to the American viewer when you are televising 2 teams coming off back to back games playing at 9 am. Recipe for boredom.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Hawks played tired but found their skates in the 2nd and third. But those Blues are soooo fucking anyoing to watch, wow! I though Crawford played really well, but when he does flop around it scares me. So far these past three games he is slowly getting me back on his bandwagon, but not yet, he still has to be more consistent. But that goes for the D too, these three games the D has played really good and look at the the Goalie is playing good too. It all comes down to trusting your teammate to do the job thats where confidence comes from, Trust me when I played football and my reciever was runnning down the field he trusted me to throw it 60 yards down field, and it was always there. Any way great game! and Grimson, I totally agree I wish Scott broke his neck fucking cheap shot asswhipe, pussy has to come from behind and not from the front. But thats so tipical Blues Hockey. I wish the worest Karma on that team.

 

[Pez68]

lmao, Pez you were complaining a few games back about him being "slow as ****" lol.



But, I'm glad he's doing well.



I believe I told Ton a few years back that he's going to be the better dman prospect over Lalonde and Leddy. Leddy has him though right now, but who knows.

He's still slow as ****.

 

[Rex]

foot speed is only minor, if his positioning, hockey smarts and physicality is great, then no big deal. Seabrook isn't the fastest Defensemen on the team, but he's the best one we have!

 

[Mach29]

Knocking Crawford is like knocking the Indian Head - what for? He's had tough times but he's recovering and his efforts seems to inspiring more than one D pairing.



Confidence at the back end means better PK times, with the forward lines firing on all eight there's nowhere to go but up.



As much of a concern is Emery - could he take on a game and hold the net for a win? I'm not a big fan of his, I thought he would be a better backup man. Who is his backup?



If Crawford gets the win over Detroit we are rolling, bring up the rookies ( except Shaw for now ).

 

[Rex]

Knocking Crawford is like knocking the Indian Head - what for? He's had tough times but he's recovering and his efforts seems to inspiring more than one D pairing.



Confidence at the back end means better PK times, with the forward lines firing on all eight there's nowhere to go but up.



As much of a concern is Emery - could he take on a game and hold the net for a win? I'm not a big fan of his, I thought he would be a better backup man. Who is his backup?



If Crawford gets the win over Detroit we are rolling, bring up the rookies ( except Shaw for now ).

bring up what rookies then?? Hayes and Olsen are on the team right now

 

[Mach29]

Benny Smith!! A backup goalie!

 

[Variable]

Huh?

 

[Rex]

I have no idea.

 

[Mach29]

To better illustrate the point of bringing up rookies: First, though I don't want to rag on goalies, Emery is a 'veteran', he was pretty much served up the starter postion if he could handle it. He couldn't and since Crawford is well onto his way to hitting his end of last year stride I'm good with that - BUT is Emery just dragging the pay line right now? Could he fit into playoff hockey this year where winners play at 120% of regular season? I doubt it. Therefore my statement on a Hogs goalie, or a pricey short term stopper from a non playoff team. WE NEED BACKUP.



As far as Smith goes - the Hawks have to rid themselves of dead weight or marginal players, specfically players like Morrison. He did not look like a fit from day one and three weeks closer to playoff time, he certainly doesn't look like a 120% player. Get him out to make room for a rookie to fit on a line before playoffs are on the doorstep. He may not be a center but what are Morrison's numbers there right now? We don't need 'old and slow'. Who knows, maybe PIrri could work.





It kind of gets down to whether this is still a 'build' year (as many were quick to say two weeks ago) or is it a 'go for it year'. We need more than what's there for a true run in the playoffs.

 

[Ton]

If Crawford is playing every game in the playoffs anyway, what does it matter if Emery is the back-up or Salak?

 

[Mach29]

If Crawford is playing every game in the playoffs anyway, what does it matter if Emery is the back-up or Salak?

It's injury insurance. Plus why not try to have the type of goalie selection the Ranger have? Even the Canuckleheads.

 

[R K]

It doesn't. Salak has played three games since Decembers injury. Please let him be in Rockford so he can actually, you know, play games.



Not sure where this idea of fill the roster with as many rookies as you can comes from. Shaw went back down because he's not ready. It's just that simple.



The playoffs will bring up the Black Aces, although very few ever play in the playoffs.

 

[R K]

It's injury insurance. Plus why not try to have the type of goalie selection the Ranger have? Even the Canuckleheads.

You see Lach sitting on the Canuck bench? No, he's over in Rosemont playing.





This team has a shit load of "cap space". No one is bring down the pay load. Salak makes as much as Emery at the NHL level but I'm sure since you suggested that, you knew. Infact I think Salak makes more actually. Since it's a one way contract he makes that in Rockford as well.

 

[Ton]

It's injury insurance. Plus why not try to have the type of goalie selection the Ranger have? Even the Canuckleheads.

That doesn't make sense, how is that injury insurance? If a goaltender gets injured then you can bring Salak up either way, and still keep Emery. That's just something they would deal with if the time ever comes. In the mean time, he starts every game in the AHL and stays in game shape.

 

[Mach29]

Where was Salk in the recent downturn?

 

[thanson1990]

To better illustrate the point of bringing up rookies: First, though I don't want to rag on goalies, Emery is a 'veteran', he was pretty much served up the starter postion if he could handle it. He couldn't and since Crawford is well onto his way to hitting his end of last year stride I'm good with that - BUT is Emery just dragging the pay line right now? Could he fit into playoff hockey this year where winners play at 120% of regular season? I doubt it. Therefore my statement on a Hogs goalie, or a pricey short term stopper from a non playoff team. WE NEED BACKUP.



As far as Smith goes - the Hawks have to rid themselves of dead weight or marginal players, specfically players like Morrison. He did not look like a fit from day one and three weeks closer to playoff time, he certainly doesn't look like a 120% player. Get him out to make room for a rookie to fit on a line before playoffs are on the doorstep. He may not be a center but what are Morrison's numbers there right now? We don't need 'old and slow'. Who knows, maybe PIrri could work.





It kind of gets down to whether this is still a 'build' year (as many were quick to say two weeks ago) or is it a 'go for it year'. We need more than what's there for a true run in the playoffs.

Well Morrison has been scratches for like 5 games in a row. What would be the point of getting rid of him to "replace" him with a prospect if he wasn't even in the lineup in the first place? The Hawks don't need rookies and the inconsistencies that come with them. they need proven, dependable guys to get where they want to go.

 

[Ton]

IMO they might as well waive Morrison.

 

[R K]

Where was Salk in the recent downturn?

The Hawks or Ice Hogs? He was on the IR in Rockford from Dec 3rd until about two weeks ago. You call up Salak you must put Emery on Waivers. Do you really understand how this all works?

 

[R K]

IMO they might as well waive Morrison.

That I agree with. Although lets see what happens before Monday though. Incase bodies are out the door, IE Frolik, Bickell, ect ect... Montedor does not sound like he's coming back any time soon and Hjarlmarssons melon is mushed ATM.