[A] Central Division Failure: Blackhawks Should Reap Rewards

[PatrickShart]

Hawks are just as thin/maybe more at LW if Sharp is moved



Sharps been way more productive at wing..including just finishing his best season there



Sharp may not want to play there



Before the while 'well they won the cup with him thete'...look at the LW depth- Ladd, buff, kopecks...rw depth...Kane, hoss, versteeg



I could've played 2nd line center and won there.



Move Sharp to center, and your top LW are stalberg, Bickell, Carrillo



At least on rw...if they move Kane there...there's still Hossa, shaw...ahem-Frolik..

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

From the backround of where Stan came from, and thats dealing with money, they never, ever want to let go of $$$. Its save and get the best that you can for as little as $$ as possible. As is what we have been seeing the past two-three years. But I love that the Hawks are for now better then they were at the end of free agency in our division, and not doing a dam thing to improve. I don't want Stan to through $$$ money at almost over the hill players to maybe contribute for the season and mail it in the playoffs, like we have seen the past two years. I am going into this season with not much hope at making any noise.....and lets see what happens.

 

[PatrickShart]

Well, there's a lot to be said in not having to turn your roster over by 50% as they had to the last 2 years. It's completely undervalued here.



They have 2 holes -



1.Goaltending- some think it's just a sophomore slump, both here and the front office. Personally, I think he's just not very good and the D, PK, team confidence suffer by his short comings



2. 2nd line center- ad RK was saying...there's not much out there. The UFAs recently...Connelly, Jolkinen...at the 4+million range? Vermette, Ribiero weren't getting traded inter division. Even if they were, a lot of people do not like Ribiero's attitude. Vermette was brutal all year/time in CLB, had a good playoffs. Will be curious to see his season this year.



And what's hurt the Hawks more than anything these 2 playoffs - health and puck luck. Not lack of skill or them being blown out of the water/out matched. And next years playoffs, those 2 things will always be the 2 biggest factor to any cup winning team

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Well, there's a lot to be said in not having to turn your roster over by 50% as they had to the last 2 years. It's completely undervalued here.



They have 2 holes -



1.Goaltending- some think it's just a sophomore slump, both here and the front office. Personally, I think he's just not very good and the D, PK, team confidence suffer by his short comings



2. 2nd line center- ad RK was saying...there's not much out there. The UFAs recently...Connelly, Jolkinen...at the 4+million range? Vermette, Ribiero weren't getting traded inter division. Even if they were, a lot of people do not like Ribiero's attitude. Vermette was brutal all year/time in CLB, had a good playoffs. Will be curious to see his season this year.



And what's hurt the Hawks more than anything these 2 playoffs - health and puck luck. Not lack of skill or them being blown out of the water/out matched. And next years playoffs, those 2 things will always be the 2 biggest factor to any cup winning team

2 holes yes but what about the PK and the PP (special teams) ? Shouldnt that be considered as hole #3



I was never sold on Crawford completely. But when he played lights out 2 years ago down the stretch and vs Van in the playoffs he gave (everyone?) the impression that he was going to be good. But then last year.... we know how that went. So only if you have magical talent glasses can you say it was a sophomore slump and be correct or that he is at best a decent backup that might get hot once in a while. Some are saying it didnt matter who was in goal the cup year because of the defensive play. I'm not sure about that Niemi made some very BIG timely saves during the run to the cup.



I think Stan will sit tight and is not willing to give up what Van wants for Lou.

 

[Rex]

2 holes yes but what about the PK and the PP (special teams) ? Shouldnt that be considered as hole #3



I was never sold on Crawford completely. But when he played lights out 2 years ago down the stretch and vs Van in the playoffs he gave (everyone?) the impression that he was going to be good. But then last year.... we know how that went. So only if you have magical talent glasses can you say it was a sophomore slump and be correct or that he is at best a decent backup that might get hot once in a while. Some are saying it didnt matter who was in goal the cup year because of the defensive play. I'm not sure about that Niemi made some very BIG timely saves during the run to the cup.



I think Stan will sit tight and is not willing to give up what Van wants for Lou.

Niemi made some big saves, so did Michael Leighton. Fact is, Niemi looked average more often than not in 3 of the 4 series played.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I was'nt really saying Niemi Is Vezina trophy material, just that he made some big saves when needed. He has been very inconsistent to say the least as a Shark.

 

[supraman]

I'd take Niemi back in a fucking heartbeat

 

[daze71]

I would think everyone would take Niemi back but with the way this defense has not played even he would have had a so so season.

 

[Rex]

I'd take Niemi back in a fucking heartbeat

Why? He would have had the exact same record as Crawford last year.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Crawford is an average goalie at best. He's never going to be top 5, maybe even top 10.



I wouldn't mind seeing Sharp move to center. It's easier to move a forward up and have them play LW (not as much defensive responsibility generally) than to move a forward into center who has never played there. Again, you could have something like this:



Carcillo-Toews-Kane

Saad-Sharp-Hossa



Than your 3rd line could be:



Shaw-Bolland-Bickell/Stalberg/Kruger



With the 4th being:



Bollig/Mayers/Hayes/whomever you don't play on the 3rd line.

 

[Rex]

Crawford is an average goalie at best. He's never going to be top 5, maybe even top 10.



I wouldn't mind seeing Sharp move to center. It's easier to move a forward up and have them play LW (not as much defensive responsibility generally) than to move a forward into center who has never played there. Again, you could have something like this:



Carcillo-Toews-Kane

Saad-Sharp-Hossa



Than your 3rd line could be:



Shaw-Bolland-Bickell/Stalberg/Kruger



With the 4th being:



Bollig/Mayers/Hayes/whomever you don't play on the 3rd line.

I love how everybody is pencilling Saad in to be an immediate top six forward. What has he done to deserve that at the NHL level?

 

[supraman]

Why? He would have had the exact same record as Crawford last year.

Maybe so but he's a lot more entertaining to watch. Crow plays like Huet, very boring. Niemi plays like Habby, very entertaining.

 

[LordKOTL]

If Crawford is average at best he was down to the pants-downer that was last year.



Conversly, with the team D play in the back end, some guys dropped from elite or near-elite status to the pants-downer that was last year.



To me, that's a bigger concern. If your stars in the back end are not playing like stars in the back end it will be hard to win with an elite goalie--much less an journeyman goalie. And confidence feeds off of itself; I'm willing to bet that Crawford's confidence was shaken by the many ****-ups our D had in the back end as much as the D's confidence was shaken by the many ****-ups Crawford had in the backend.



Regardless, If any player (goalie or otherwise) who put the indianhead sweater on can look in the mirror and say, "I played well when the puck was in our zone" they need a reality check. Everyone needed to play better in the back end and everyone needs to play better in the backend this coming season.

 

[R K]

If the "Stars" play better and stay healthy the Hawks will be good. Very good, who knows. Top 8 in the league, should not be a problem.



Winning the Cup is something different, they must be good and lucky.

 

[LordKOTL]

If the "Stars" play better and stay healthy the Hawks will be good. Very good, who knows. Top 8 in the league, should not be a problem.



Winning the Cup is something different, they must be good and lucky.

Assuming that we have a season next year--I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that the stars play better and that the netminder (Crawford, Emery, other) step it up concurrently.



Healthy? that's luck.



Somehow I think coaching will be a factor since it seems Stan gave Q a good legth of rope and in hiring Komton he tied it in a noose.

 

[MassHavoc]

I keep forgetting about carcillo for next year...





Carcillo's status



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Daniel Carcillo | Blackhawks

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There was some talk as last year wound down that the Chicago Blackhawkscould use a little more toughness in the lineup. As it turns out, one of their toughest players is right on track to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 campaign.[/background][background=transparent]

Dan Carcillo missed the final four months of the 2011-12 season after shredding his knee on a hit he delivered in early January -- a play where he also earned a suspension. As Chris Boden of CSN Chicago points out, the 27-year old forward is not only on pace to be fully recovered when training camp opens, he might even be stronger than he was before he got hurt. That could mean a nice addition to the 'Hawks lineup if all goes well. When he's at his best, Carcillo can be an intimidating presence on the ice -- one who is routinely near the league lead in penalty minutes -- while also providing the occasional offensive contribution here and there as well.[/background][/background][/font]

 

[Rex]

Maybe so but he's a lot more entertaining to watch. Crow plays like Huet, very boring. Niemi plays like Habby, very entertaining.

Who gives a **** how they look? I'd take a boring goalie who wins games and plays better, than an entertaining goalie who plays like shit. Bolland isn't the most flashy exciting player on the roster, but he gets the job done better than most.

If Crawford is average at best he was down to the pants-downer that was last year.



Conversly, with the team D play in the back end, some guys dropped from elite or near-elite status to the pants-downer that was last year.



To me, that's a bigger concern. If your stars in the back end are not playing like stars in the back end it will be hard to win with an elite goalie--much less an journeyman goalie. And confidence feeds off of itself; I'm willing to bet that Crawford's confidence was shaken by the many ****-ups our D had in the back end as much as the D's confidence was shaken by the many ****-ups Crawford had in the backend.



Regardless, If any player (goalie or otherwise) who put the indianhead sweater on can look in the mirror and say, "I played well when the puck was in our zone" they need a reality check. Everyone needed to play better in the back end and everyone needs to play better in the backend this coming season.

I remember playing when I was younger, we had this one defensemen on our team...everytime they had the puck on their stick in our zone it would lead to a give away in the worst way. Not even being stripped of the puck, but most of the time a pass onto the opposing teams stick. After a while my confidence was fucked whenever they had the puck on their stick because I knew that I was going to be scored on.

 

[supraman]

Who gives a **** how they look? I'd take a boring goalie who wins games and plays better, than an entertaining goalie who plays like shit. Bolland isn't the most flashy exciting player on the roster, but he gets the job done better than most.







I remember playing when I was younger, we had this one defensemen on our team...everytime they had the puck on their stick in our zone it would lead to a give away in the worst way. Not even being stripped of the puck, but most of the time a pass onto the opposing teams stick. After a while my confidence was fucked whenever they had the puck on their stick because I knew that I was going to be scored on.

I do, I think flashy goaltenders do more for their team's morale and again more entertaining. Also Bolland has some tricks, just being fucked on the 3rd line he doesn't get to show off much. Remember the bomb seabs threw him in the playoffs, it was about chest high in the air when Bolly got it, he caught it set it down and went and scored. The only other player I've seen do that is Marty St.Louis who is a huge talent.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I do, I think flashy goaltenders do more for their team's morale and again more entertaining. Also Bolland has some tricks, just being fucked on the 3rd line he doesn't get to show off much. Remember the bomb seabs threw him in the playoffs, it was about chest high in the air when Bolly got it, he caught it set it down and went and scored. The only other player I've seen do that is Marty St.Louis who is a huge talent.

I personally just want the goalie to keep the puck out of the goal and don't care how he does it. I find it hard to believe it would affect player morale during a game. What I don't care for is a goalie who sprawls all over the place often getting out of position.



Hossa stopped an in air pass with his glove and shot the puck before it hit the ice for a goal.



[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozSiKoocomc[/media]

 

[supraman]

I personally just want the goalie to keep the puck out of the goal and don't care how he does it. I find it hard to believe it would affect player morale during a game. What I don't care for is a goalie who sprawls all over the place often getting out of position.



Hossa stopped an in air pass with his glove and shot the puck before it hit the ice for a goal.

Who did the hawks play better in front of? Habby or Huet. Niemi or Huet? I would say Turco or Crow but Turco was god awful with the hawks