(IST) SCF: (3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (2) Tampa Bay Lightning

[DMelt36]

While I agree to some extent, Versteeg elevated his game and was playing really well during that stretch. He was making the smart plays, creating space, creating chances, etc. He took advantage of playing with Kane, where there have been plenty of other players who haven't.

I just wouldn't be surprised if we see that line get a shot again. It was probably the best Kane has ever played...so, to some extent, that line had something to do with it. We have seen that Kane can't do it all by himself. Having Versteeg play that well just helps create more depth on the team, which isn't a bad thing.

I remember seeing it a few times last night, but I think each time was a result of Hossa needing a rest immediately after a PK and Q wanting to get Kane on the ice.

 

[HawkWriter]

Meh... so he played well with MVP Kane and Perennial All-Star Richards. It was a nice stint... 6 months ago.

I just don't trust Versteeg. He is a turnover waiting to happen. I don't think his "upside" is worth it at this point in the season. Not that we really have a choice, with Bickell hurt. I definitely DO NOT want to see Nordstrom again, lol.

I love what Richards has brought (especially at his cap hit)...but calling him a perennial all-star? That's quite a stretch for a guy that has played in one all star game in his career, 5 or so years ago.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Hawks definitely stole momentum last night.

 

[HawkWriter]

I remember seeing it a few times last night, but I think each time was a result of Hossa needing a rest immediately after a PK and Q wanting to get Kane on the ice.

You are correct on that. I believe the line was put together 2 - 3 times last night and a couple times they really generated a lot of pressure.

 

[CRM 114]

I honestly feel much better going into a game if Versteeg is in the press box.

Can Versteeg play well? Yes. 2010 and December 2014 proved that. However, he tends to play poorly a hell of alot more than he plays well.

 

[Ares]

Someone lost in all the shuffle.... Desjardins is looking like a really solid trade for us.

Him, Shaw, and Kruger have made a really nice 4th line that can hold their own even against other teams' top lines.

Desjardins has not lit up the score sheet but he plays solid mistake-free hockey when he gets out there and he goes to bat for his teammates after the whistle.

While I liiked Ben Smith I think Desjardins was a very good trade in comparison to the Kermo Termernern debacle

 

[Ton]

I love what Richards has brought (especially at his cap hit)...but calling him a perennial all-star? That's quite a stretch for a guy that has played in one all star game in his career, 5 or so years ago.

Just goes to show that the All-Star game is a joke. This guy has scored 70+ points 6 times in his career, twice being over 90 points. Only made it to one popularity contest. He was always a 1B type of center, with 1A years sprinkled in between. I think you can say he was a great offensive player, and I doubt anyone with half a brain would argue that.

I'm not pretending that he's the same player he use to be, but he is still a good offensive player with a decorated resume.

Also, take in consideration, he was 9th on TOI for the Hawks on the PP... which explains his down year production-wise. Normally this guy is #1 on his team, and you know the majority of his points always came on the PP.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Someone lost in all the shuffle.... Desjardins is looking like a really solid trade for us.

Him, Shaw, and Kruger have made a really nice 4th line that can hold their own even against other teams' top lines.

Desjardins has not lit up the score sheet but he plays solid mistake-free hockey when he gets out there and he goes to bat for his teammates after the whistle.

While I liiked Ben Smith I think Desjardins was a very good trade in comparison to the Kermo Termernern debacle

DERSJERDERNS

ermergerd

 

[HawkWriter]

Someone lost in all the shuffle.... Desjardins is looking like a really solid trade for us.

Him, Shaw, and Kruger have made a really nice 4th line that can hold their own even against other teams' top lines.

Desjardins has not lit up the score sheet but he plays solid mistake-free hockey when he gets out there and he goes to bat for his teammates after the whistle.

While I liiked Ben Smith I think Desjardins was a very good trade in comparison to the Kermo Termernern debacle

Agreed. Hoping the Blackhawks can figure out a way to keep him this offseason. He plays a very nice 4th line game and is very responsible out there. Believe he had more ice time than Sharp, TT, Vermette, and Versteeg last night. Says a lot. Q trusts him and he has earned it.

 

[DMelt36]

Agreed. Hoping the Blackhawks can figure out a way to keep him this offseason. He plays a very nice 4th line game and is very responsible out there. Believe he had more ice time than Sharp, TT, Vermette, and Versteeg last night. Says a lot. Q trusts him and he has earned it.

I think it's becoming more and more likely that Desjardins is back with the team next year. Only 28, likely won't command more than a $1 or $2 million AAV, and he's the kind of veteran 4th liner that Q loves to have on his team.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Just goes to show that the All-Star game is a joke. This guy has scored 70+ points 6 times in his career, twice being over 90 points. Only made it to one popularity contest. He was always a 1B type of center, with 1A years sprinkled in between. I think you can say he was a great offensive player, and I doubt anyone with half a brain would argue that.

I'm not pretending that he's the same player he use to be, but he is still a good offensive player with a decorated resume.

Also, take in consideration, he was 9th on TOI for the Hawks on the PP... which explains his down year production-wise. Normally this guy is #1 on his team, and you know the majority of his points always came on the PP.

Hockey is one sport where making the all star team should be taken with a grain of salt, especially when there's an infrequency on when it's held (no ASGs on olympic years and 2 recent lockouts).

 

[MassHavoc]

Umm... go back and look. It wasn't that he was playing with Kane and Richards, hell I don't even think they were on the ice the whole time, Versteeg was all over the ice, after he came out of the penalty box for trying to **** a post with his forehead he was all over the place, it didn't matter who was on the ice he was attacking the puck, disrupting the play and pushing the aggression for the hawks. He gave them a lot of energy and I am going stop just short of saying he's the reason they really started picking it up on the offensive end because they weren't doing horribly before that. He trailed off in the third for sure but that's because Teuvo got so hot. It's interesting to me that last night Versteeg did a lot of things that don't show up on the stat sheet (and i've been really down on him all year) and get's no credit, but Bickell does only one thing that shows up on the stat sheet and it's a big deal. He had the least amount of time as any forward still, which is interesting but Q has shown he knows what he's doing.

 

[Ton]

Umm... go back and look. It wasn't that he was playing with Kane and Richards, hell I don't even think they were on the ice the whole time, Versteeg was all over the ice, after he came out of the penalty box for trying to **** a post with his forehead he was all over the place, it didn't matter who was on the ice he was attacking the puck, disrupting the play and pushing the aggression for the hawks. He gave them a lot of energy and I am going stop just short of saying he's the reason they really started picking it up on the offensive end because they weren't doing horribly before that. He trailed off in the third for sure but that's because Teuvo got so hot. It's interesting to me that last night Versteeg did a lot of things that don't show up on the stat sheet (and i've been really down on him all year) and get's no credit, but Bickell does only one thing that shows up on the stat sheet and it's a big deal. He had the least amount of time as any forward still, which is interesting but Q has shown he knows what he's doing.

I do agree that he played a good game. I just don't trust him to sustain that type of play. For now, we don't have a better option to put in the line-up so no use in complaining. I just don't trust him in the long haul.

 

[MassHavoc]

I do agree that he played a good game. I just don't trust him to sustain that type of play. For now, we don't have a better option to put in the line-up so no use in complaining. I just don't trust him in the long haul.

Very true, I can't help but shake that it was in reality just a reaction to the enourmous high he's rolling right now with the birth of his son.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Very true, I can't help but shake that it was in reality just a reaction to the enourmous high he's rolling right now with the birth of his son.

So he had his own momentum tank strapped to his back last evening that he pulled from his son.

 

[MassHavoc]

So he had his own momentum tank strapped to his back last evening that he pulled from his son.

Yes and no. Tank yes, but apparently it's on his face and didn't get switch on until he kissed the post.

 

[MassHavoc]

I read that Scotty Bowman gave them a scouting report on tampa as he has a house down there now and saw about 25 out of the 41 home games. not sure how valuable it was, but when you have a mind like his telling you something, you don't take it for granted.

 

[DMelt36]

I read that Scotty Bowman gave them a scouting report on tampa as he has a house down there now and saw about 25 out of the 41 home games. not sure how valuable it was, but when you have a mind like his telling you something, you don't take it for granted.

Haha for real? That's a wholly random but pretty good advantage for the Hawks. I hear that Bowman guy knows a thing or two about hockey.

 

[Ton]

I read that Scotty Bowman gave them a scouting report on tampa as he has a house down there now and saw about 25 out of the 41 home games. not sure how valuable it was, but when you have a mind like his telling you something, you don't take it for granted.

Cue the Q haters with the whole "Good thing Scotty Bowman told him what to do" after the Hawks win another Cup.

 

[MassHavoc]

It was a trib story on their site, I just was too lazy to go back and get it.
[h=3]Scotty Bowman gives Blackhawks scouting report on his (winter) home team[/h]It's a "Subscriber only" article, but well... most of you should know how easy it is to get around that by now.