Yes, I took heat for saying that Toews was reckless for taking on Joe Thornton many moons ago, and still feel the same way; he just got back from a head injury and took a few pops in this scrap...way more than at the time of the Thornton bout are the stakes high. Against Thornton it was more about losing his presence in the game, now it's about risks to his long term well being after hockey.
Our elite 5'7" 165lb sniper,our 175lb 2nd year,20+ goal scorer and our recently concussed captain all have to take matters into their own hands because they're on a small docile team......they have no choice unfortunately.
I agree for the most part Bob, but then again, I wouldn't want Dach fighting either really. And Hardman and Johnson, they're not great in the role. Teams will only get more physical, especially when the Hawks are in a full rebuild mode. This is why I want a guy like E. Kane, or someone comparable for the top six -- but the thing is, you won't find a guy like that as cheap, who can actually play the game and who nobody will want to **** with. Either way, this team needs to invest in a legit top-six power forward; or at least, a legit/projected top-six power forward prospect, although those are rare breeds in today's game.
Yes, I'm no fan of burning a roster spot on a pure one dimensional guy like John Scott, but the Hawks haven't had a lot of sandpaper for sure. I also think it's not as simple as one guy...former rosters had guys like Seabrook, Ladd, and even Bolland who didn't take much shit from anyone, and others like Hammer, Hossa, and Brouwer that may not have been fighters per say, but not guys that were easy to push around. Some more size and overall toughness need to be mixed into this rebuild for sure.
Eh, Brouwer was pretty fucking tough. Tough enough that he had a rep not to try him.
I agree but I'll say this: it's funny, I feel like we've been saying this for the past 15 years now. Even in the Cup era, the goal was always to get tougher. I mean, there's a reason why Bowman selected Aliu and Beach way back when -- it actually was a good strategy, but like every Bowman strategy, he never followed through, abandoned it immediately after he didn't get immediate results, and switched tactics (went back to focusing on skill guys) because he is (was) a fucking indecisive idiot. Yeah, we had guys like Brouwer and Bickell, and in hindsight, we think they were okay in terms of fighting, but they only appear so because of how utterly depleted we are now. They were okay, sure, and they were sure as hell better than what we we've had the last few years. Brower would stick up for guys, but he wasn't the most successful fighter (and Bowman got rid of him for a guy like Frolic of course, which was another Bowman blunder, but I digress).
You're right, my mistake.
Dach wouldn't fight a cold!
Most of the '2010' team was tough as hell,they didn't need that one guy. Big Buff,Ladd,Brouwer,Eager,Burrish and Frasier would never....ever be okay watching a teammate get runover. Seabs and Keith were tougher players back then too.....especially Seabs.
I remember when Kane got run over and Panarin
I remember when Kane got run over and Panarin came to step up.
You know, people are really pissed about what Toews said. I really didn't care and thought it was an honest enough answer. I guess fans want him to say the cookie-cutter thing like, "I'm not focused on that right now," or whatever other monosyllabic response every other player always says when posed a similar question -- but his honesty was a bit refreshing. Are we really surprised that he's at least contemplating what it would be like to play for another team? Well, we really shouldn't be at this point. This isn't directed at you, but I think people with their panties in a twist over this are over-reacting.
I agree and am cool with both player's answers: Kane isn't dumb; he knows what's going on and chose to deal with it later. Toews is obviously upset about the full blow up rebuild, and got it off his chest; totally understandable. I'd say his reaction is expected from what we've always known about JT: he was named captain at a young age because he takes the responsibility personally. This has been his team for over a decade, and he's cemented a dynastic legacy here. I've no doubt he wants to stay here until he hangs them up, but is faced with the frustrating reality that the team is not a real contender now, and won't be for some time.
