TGDT: 10/29 Oilers @ Blackhawks 7:30PM CSN

[Rdrhwke]

One ugly ass game all the way around.



Just fuckin hideous.

 

[5Minutes4Fighting]

Remember when we were forced to trade Marty Reasoner because we didn't have the cap room to keep a $1.5 million dollar center after acquiring him from Atlanta because the Sharks signed Hammer to an offer sheet?



Sure would be nice to have Reasoner here now. Dude has 7 points in 8 games for Florida of all teams and is a +5.

Mmmm. I had not thought of that.



-5Minutes

 

[EbonyRaptor]

Last season the Hawks were a scary team for opponents because they had such a great overall defensive team game that teamed with their puck possesion and speed game.



This season they have none of that - at least not yet.



To make things worse - there doesn't seem to be any improvement being made. Rather than things settling into place it seems to be getting more chaotic as each game is played.



And then there is the individual suckage. Starting with Bolland, Brouwer, and Hjalmarsson - three players who were known commodities that were being counted on to produce while the new players got sorted out and up to speed. All three of them have been major disappointments so far.



It's always tough after a stinker loss to keep perspective (and the faith) ... and I'm trying ... but that really sucked.

 

[R K]

Wow I don't know where to start.



First of all we only gave up 22 shots on goal. Yet we let in 6 goals, minus the empty net. Turco did not have a good game. Crawford wasn't much better on the second goal. Mean while we had 41 shots on goal, most we've had all year. And of those 15 were HIGH quality, with absolutely no luck. Especially in the 3rd. Man they were crawling all over the net.



We got almost no bounces this game. Hit the post four times, two on ONE SHIFT. Kaner high sticked causing a few stitches in his nose, no one calls it. Ref kicks in the puck for a goal, it's allowed.



We do not play well in the 3rd crappy jersey.



Talked to Khabi and Frazer after the game which was nice. Guys are not happy and rightfully so.



Oilers remind me of how we were three years ago. They are going to score A LOT of goals. Gagner, Eberle, Hall.... Lots of GOOD young talent there.



Have a chance to redeem ourselves against this team next Sunday. Campbell said soon and Pez was right it was Hossa's "repaired" shoulder. Appears the prognosis was MUCH better than they thought right after it happened. Initial was 4 months. So the MRI and xrays came back very positive.

 

[the canadian dream]

We do not play well in the 3rd crappy jersey.





Oilers remind me of how we were three years ago. They are going to score A LOT of goals. Gagner, Eberle, Hall.... Lots of GOOD young talent there.

Yah they do. Lots of energy on that young team too. Very fun team to watch right now and yes a few players and years away they could make some noise.



So Hossa's shoulder isn't exactly "repaired" is it?



And why is Khabi not happy? Fraser I can see but Khabi is 2 years ago. He hasn't got over it has he?

 

[5Minutes4Fighting]

This is not going to be pretty, so if your one of those guys who can be counted on to get pissy and talk shit to anyone who is critical of the team after a loss, do both of us a favor and stop reading now. And let me remind you that after each and every The-Sky-is-Falling-Loss last year, i was cool as a snowman and never waivered from my view that the Hawks would take the Cup. That was last year.



Let me begin by saying that, when the season started, i did not have high expectations. I expected and predicted a slow start. Then when the games began, it became apparent that the Stanley Cup Hangover was not just mythology, and lots of Hawks were suffering from it really bad. Even during the four game win streak, the Hawks did not look all that great (IMHO). That last win vs the Kings was all Turco.



After tonites' game, I'm almost to the point where i can't watch this team. I count 10 guys (That's almost HALF the friggin' roster folks!) making the league minimum, who are basically AHL players and/or should not be in the NHL:



Cullimore (sucks the most)

Hendry (sucks bad)

Boynton (brutally sucks)

Smith

Scott

Bickell

Dowell

Pisani

Skille

Stalberg (note, i'm warming up to this guy A LITTLE BIT)



And its tempting to put Brower on that list too.



__



Ok, once you get past those guys, then you got the vets who are not themselves (mostly because of the famous Stanley Cup hangover), including Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Bolland, Kane, Toews.



So all that's left is just four guys: Turco, Sharp, Hossa and Kopecky. And as far as Kopey goes, we saw tonite that he might as well be in the press box if he's not on a line with Hossa. So we got three guys playing good, and the best one of the bunch is hurt. That's a problem.



__



Over the summer, a lot of guys were traded and perhaps not enough. I just think the bottom half of the roster lacks talent and falls short of what a good team needs depth wise, especially when most of the stars and veterans are (right now) a shadow of their previous selves. Next year, we get that 4 mill cap bonus back, and perhaps the cap goes up a mill, but my thinking is that the Hawks really need to dump about $7.14 in cap space to address the depth issues. You cant win the Cup with a roster that is 50% AHL players or NHL rejects. As far as the other half, something is needed to wake them up big time. It will happen, i just have no idea when.



-5Minutes

 

[R K]

This is not going to be pretty, so if your one of those guys who can be counted on to get pissy and talk shit to anyone who is critical of the team after a loss, do both of us a favor and stop reading now. And let me remind you that after each and every The-Sky-is-Falling-Loss last year, i was cool as a snowman and never waivered from my view that the Hawks would take the Cup. That was last year.



Let me begin by saying that, when the season started, i did not have high expectations. I expected and predicted a slow start. Then when the games began, it became apparent that the Stanley Cup Hangover was not just mythology, and lots of Hawks were suffering from it really bad. Even during the four game win streak, the Hawks did not look all that great (IMHO). That last win vs the Kings was all Turco.



After tonites' game, I'm almost to the point where i can't watch this team. I count 10 guys (That's almost HALF the friggin' roster folks!) making the league minimum, who are basically AHL players and/or should not be in the NHL:



Cullimore (sucks the most)

Hendry (sucks bad)

Boynton (brutally sucks)

Smith

Scott

Bickell

Dowell

Pisani

Skille

Stalberg (note, i'm warming up to this guy A LITTLE BIT)



And its tempting to put Brower on that list too.



__



Ok, once you get past those guys, then you got the vets who are not themselves (mostly because of the famous Stanley Cup hangover), including Keith, Seabs, Hammer, Bolland, Kane, Toews.



So all that's left is just four guys: Turco, Sharp, Hossa and Kopecky. And as far as Kopey goes, we saw tonite that he might as well be in the press box if he's not on a line with Hossa. So we got three guys playing good, and the best one of the bunch is hurt. That's a problem.



__



Over the summer, a lot of guys were traded and perhaps not enough. I just think the bottom half of the roster lacks talent and falls short of what a good team needs depth wise, especially when most of the stars and veterans are (right now) a shadow of their previous selves. Next year, we get that 4 mill cap bonus back, and perhaps the cap goes up a mill, but my thinking is that the Hawks really need to dump about $7.14 in cap space to address the depth issues. You cant win the Cup with a roster that is 50% AHL players or NHL rejects. As far as the other half, something is needed to wake them up big time. It will happen, i just have no idea when.



-5Minutes

Didn't Dowell score a goal tonight?



I'd still give them some time to gel.



Not to mention Kane and Toews also scored tonight. In fact Kane has as many points right now as he did last year at the same point. Identical.

 

[R K]

Yah they do. Lots of energy on that young team too. Very fun team to watch right now and yes a few players and years away they could make some noise.



So Hossa's shoulder isn't exactly "repaired" is it?



And why is Khabi not happy? Fraser I can see but Khabi is 2 years ago. He hasn't got over it has he?

I'm not going to write a book on tonights loss. It was very predictable after having two straight days off playing a pissed off team that lost in OT last night. Long way to go here.



I'm actually looking forward to this team hitting the road in a couple of weeks. That's where they will bond just as they did last year. Cambell should be back and so should Hossa, so on the Circus trip they should have a full line up.



Campbell being out is HUGE in the possession game.



as to the story on Khabi remind me sometime. It's quite interesting. And quite what I thought went on during the infamous "huet" signing. A guy being paid 5 mil NOT to play in the NHL LOL!

 

[the canadian dream]

5minute we were spoiled last year. It was without a doubt as perfect as a team could be built in the cap era of hockey. And frankly it ranks up there in my very humble hockey opinion as one of the best built teams in the history of the game from top to bottom including team chemistry. If anyone thought that this team this year was going to match the depth and the team chemisty as last years team well I am not shocked that they are a dissapointed right now. Like you said the cup hangover also plays into that and there is such a thing.



With that said this team still has enough character and depth to work with. It will however not be even close to the team we saw last year. It just won't. But Campbells return will help even though he will be showing rust. When we have him and Hossa back together this team will be stronger. I agree the depth though needs some work. How we gain that? Well right now I think we need to see some newer faces from the farm. I'm not sure if I am selling guys short to soon but yah there doesn't seem to be much improvement here. We need a functioning 3rd line and that is where my main concern lies (besides the defense). It was what I was concerned with when the look of this team was changed in the off season. Versteegs creative play is missing..Ladds 2 way game and hustle is missing. I didn't and still don't think these two are replaceable with what we have on the farm or who Bowman brought in.



There's enough to work with where this is a playoff team and one that can go deep again. Somethings do have to fix themselves though you are right. That same feeling isn't there when you watch this group as it was last season or even the season before that. I do think guys like Toews are starting to play stronger though. Seabs hasn't been horrible the last few games and Keith is showing signs of waking up. They will when Campbell gets back and gets in game shape. I have full confidence that he will help the defensive woas enough. As for the forwards and that 3rd line? I have no idea what it's going to take to get it going. No clue. I am not sure if Q or Bowman know how to do it either right now.



But the biggest thing is. THere was no way this team was going to be as solid as last years. Will be hard pressed to ever see a team that tight again anytime soon. And that goes for the Hawks or any other franchise. It ranks to me as one of the best teams eeeeever.

 

[Shoots_he_scores]

I'm not going to write a book on tonights loss. It was very predictable after having two straight days off playing a pissed off team that lost in OT last night. Long way to go here.



I'm actually looking forward to this team hitting the road in a couple of weeks. That's where they will bond just as they did last year. Cambell should be back and so should Hossa, so on the Circus trip they should have a full line up.



Campbell being out is HUGE in the possession game.



as to the story on Khabi remind me sometime. It's quite interesting. And quite what I thought went on during the infamous "huet" signing. A guy being paid 5 mil NOT to play in the NHL LOL!

You should write a blog post on that Khabi/Fraz story cause I'd love to here it and I'm sure pretty much everyone else here would too.

 

[R K]

Very good TCD and I totally get Larrys frustration. Same with the STH in front of me. But I am like you. Last years team blessed me finally. And this years team is totally capable of doing the exact same thing, just maybe not as consistently.



It doesn't help missing our Top scorer, our top puck moving defenseman, and in this game, I'm not sure if anyone noticed because I have not read anyone mention it, but our 3rd line center the entire 3rd period. He appears to have an injury as well, which is why he did not practice with the team yesterday or today.



So you add what we lost Cap wise, then add the players missing tonight, which were three SC team members, and holy ****. That's over 3/4 of the Stanley Cup team gone, or banged up right now. No team would be consistent with that fact alone. But it will get better. And our YOUNG talent in Toews and Kane will get pissed off enough to create serious determination. Which I might add was shown several times tonight. Both where trying almost too hard at times tonight.



Turco did not help either. Not sure why he's not mentioned here but there were only 22 shots allowed. His worst game as a Hawk in my opinion. Then Crawford, two goals on his first 3-4 shots. I know one was a partial breakaway but he was completely stoned 5 hole. Not a good save attempt IMO.

 

[R K]

You should write a blog post on that Khabi/Fraz story cause I'd love to here it and I'm sure pretty much everyone else here would too.

It's kind of something they have to write about some day. I wouldn't say Fraz is mad as much as Khabi. And I'm not sure mad is even the correct way to put it. I do understand both of them though.



One thing about last years team and the year before. 100 of those guys where character guys. On and off the ice. Tallon gets serious credit for not only saying he wanted "character guys" but also delivering that. It's why we have a Stanley Cup. And yes, Khabi helped as he was a huge part in Kane and Toews getting the playoff experience they did the year before they Won the Cup. Without that WCF loss I'm not sure they have what it takes in experience to win it all last year. Huet certainly didn't do shit for us that first year.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Victory thread will be up first thing tomorrow morning, I'm gassed tonight!

 

[maryo]

After tonites' game, I'm almost to the point where i can't watch this team. I count 10 guys (That's almost HALF the friggin' roster folks!) making the league minimum, who are basically AHL players and/or should not be in the NHL:



Cullimore (sucks the most)

Hendry (sucks bad)

Boynton (brutally sucks)

Smith

Scott

Bickell

Dowell

Pisani

Skille

Stalberg (note, i'm warming up to this guy A LITTLE BIT)



And its tempting to put Brower on that list too.

Sounds like you've already closed your eyes... some of those supposedly shitty players are doing just fine. Tough game, but don't use last year's calmness to try to cover up the fact you're overreacting to a bad loss. Take a breather, we'll be fine.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

After tonites' game, I'm almost to the point where i can't watch this team. I count 10 guys (That's almost HALF the friggin' roster folks!) making the league minimum, who are basically AHL players and/or should not be in the NHL:



Cullimore (sucks the most)

Hendry (sucks bad)

Boynton (brutally sucks)

Smith

Scott

Bickell

Dowell

Pisani

Skille

Stalberg (note, i'm warming up to this guy A LITTLE BIT)



And its tempting to put Brower on that list too.

Hey guys.... Cullimore/Hendry/Boynton all suck worse than Scott.



Also.... Smith in his first game in the NHL SUCKS!



Stalberg and Skille were all over the place tonight so I don't know wtf that's about.



Dowell has 1 less goal than Kane this year.



Pisani sucks.... no, seriously.... he really does.

 

[R K]

Sounds like you've already closed your eyes... some of those supposedly shitty players are doing just fine. Tough game, but don't use last year's calmness to try to cover up the fact you're overreacting to a bad loss. Take a breather, we'll be fine.

You know how many times I said that same exact thing tonight. It doesn't upset me much though because if they want to get all bent out of shape so be it. No Larry, I'm not slamming you. But to Folks, STH's you'd never think you'd have to say it too.



I'm pretty content. I may get mad at stupid plays but where my seat is, I look directly up and there hangs the 2010 STANLEY CUP BANNER! Puts it all in perspective. Then I remind myself only two teams in the past TWENTY years have done the repeat.



Long way to go before we know if we can break that and be the 3rd!



2001, Hawks Vs. the Islanders. 3rd period. Islanders up 9-2. The last 500 of us FANS in the United Center were cheering on the Islanders to score their 10th goal. Not too long ago we did that in Edmonton and their fans were doing the same thing.



It's been bad, REALLY BAD. This is not Bad.

 

[maryo]

It's officially the end of the world, RK. We agree. A lot lately.

 

[R K]

I was thinking the same thing!



Damn you!

 

[R K]

Did I mention Kane was high sticked in the face causing blood and a few stitches to his nose and there was no DOUBLE MINOR? Oh yea I think I did.



Could their be a worse pair of officials working the same game than Auger, the one players call out as calling games bias, and McCreary? Could there be? That first period they were brutal.

 

[puckjim]

Is there concern with Bolland's back?



Our center depth in this organization is negligible. His loss could be devistating.



What's Lang-Schmang up to?