Where's the foul call!!?

[R K]

I may be pointing out just one thing, but take for instance last night. His turn over to Havlat Christ that led to Minny's first goal. That is a brain fart I have seen him do a few times this year. That Colorado game comes to mind as well.



The fans choosing him as an all star in my mind doesn't diminish it. Most of the all stars were picked that way this year.

No they werent. Just the starting line up. 6 players were chosen that way.



The rest the NHL commitee chose.



And I'm not sure what your talking about the first goal. Seabrook got the puck out of the zone and it was shot right back in. Havlat came down, Keiths guy and shot the puck, sniper shot, past Crawford. It was not a turn over or give away.

 

[MassHavoc]

I don't think the contract talks have anything to do with whats happening on the ice.



who were the "some folks"?

I read that the other way, I thought he was saying that his play may be affecting the contract talks. Not the other way around.

 

[R K]

I read that the other way, I thought he was saying that his play may be affecting the contract talks. Not the other way around.

Hes no better or worse than when contract talks were going on during his last contract. So I doubt that has any bearing on it. I'm also not sure what signing him now does to the cap or how far it puts them over.



I have heard from several people that talks are indeed on going. Two that would know for sure if discussions were being had. I also was told or heard 11 teams had inquired about him through trades. No surprise there at all.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

Let's put it this way.



Seabs is our best defensemen. If I'm Stanny B., I'm doing anything I can to find money to keep him. Trade Sharp? Fine. Trade whoever outside of Kane, Toews and Hossa.

 

[EspoForever]

These are all just questions to spurn a discussion. What do y'all think?

I think Seabs has been hurting Keith more this year than the other way around. I have seen puck decisions from Seabs numbering in the HUNDREDS this year that just counfound me. It always seems to go like this: He has some pressure on him, but is not tied up. He has Dunc over on the far side behind the goal line with NO pressure and Seabs keeps putting the damn puck up the wall where the wing is blanketed. We don't lose it every time, but what is the sense when the whole purpose of passing in hockey is to get the puck to someone in a BETTER situation...not worse.



I think, regardless of him being the only physical "D" man we have crappy play MUST reduce his value of his next contract.



I am beginning to wonder if coaching is the key though. Torchetti is gone, and Kitchen does not seem as sharp to me. These mistakes are happening by more people than just Seabs and it is NOT getting better. We also lost our video coach Brad Aldrich who left from sheer burnout from the hours (my brother talked to someone in his family for that info.) Maybe our guys just are not getting corrected with good concrete examples of what is not right??



The interesting thing though for all my whining about "D" is that we are still one of the better defensive teams in the league, stat-wise. I do think that our lack of puck possession is taking chances away from us and giving them to the opponent and we just don't seem like we are as well-coached as we were last season.

 

[PatrickShart]

It was pillow talk last night between Jako and TCD....laying in bed, spooning...

I think Keith's problem....is he got married in the off season? (I think?)



Marriage...changes everything. Just sayin'

 

[PatrickShart]

Keith's been leading the Dmen in giveaways - for most of the year. They've both equally struggled on there own at different times this season.

 

[Shantz My Pants]

I said it last year and everyone told me I was an idiot and called me other names (some of which are usually true), but I don't see the huge hype about Duncan Keith. Sure he put up two solid point seasons, but I've never thought he was great defensively and it seems he's always turning the puck over. I really think last year was going to be his career year.



Now I'm not saying he's a terrible defensman, but I don't think he's as amazing as some media and fans hype him to be.

 

[jakobeast]

I was really sweaty when pmxc took that pic.

 

[PatrickShart]

...and TCD looks very comfortable in your arms

 

[puckjim]

Duncan Keith is -22 in regulation losses, +18 in games the Hawks get at least a point.



As Keith goes, so go the Hawks.



Others have stated, and I agree: Duncan Keith is their most important player.

 

[jakobeast]

Duncan Keith is -22 in regulation losses, +18 in games the Hawks get at least a point.



As Keith goes, so go the Hawks.



Others have stated, and I agree: Duncan Keith is their most important player.

I don't think if I had to choose between Seabs and Duncs, I would take Duncs. Seabs has been a hitting machine, which does go a long way.



I really don't want to see the Hawks sans either, as I think it would just destroy the team.



I want them to lock Seabs up for a long time. They play great together, and I think will only compliment each other for the rest of their careers.

 

[puckjim]

I don't think if I had to choose between Seabs and Duncs, I would take Duncs. Seabs has been a hitting machine, which does go a long way.



I really don't want to see the Hawks sans either, as I think it would just destroy the team.



I want them to lock Seabs up for a long time. They play great together, and I think will only compliment each other for the rest of their careers.

I was just commenting on the stats.



Keith's play has more of an effect on the Hawks success, or failure, than any other player.

 

[the canadian dream]

I was cozy. Jako has a soft touch after love making.



As for Duns and Seabs? Who knows? Maybe there is too much pressure placed on those 2? Maybe it's more difficult for blueliners to adjust to new faces who too are learning a new system that has a lot to do with stretch passing and defensive outlets. Maybe blueliners have a harder time adjusting to new lines all the time? I think that's the case myself. But what do I know. I do know that the Hawks system is based heavily on that blueline pairing. Sooooooo adjustments to the team upfront are going to effect their play. I will have to pay more attention to who is on the line upfront when Seabs and more so Keith make the mistakes they make. Might be more telling.



They will be fine. Seabs isn't going anywhere either.

 

[R K]

Keith did not get married in the off season. Sharp did



Seabrook was +9 before being paird back with Keith.



Where is he now?

 

[R K]

I don't think if I had to choose between Seabs and Duncs, I would take Duncs. Seabs has been a hitting machine, which does go a long way.



I really don't want to see the Hawks sans either, as I think it would just destroy the team.



I want them to lock Seabs up for a long time. They play great together, and I think will only compliment each other for the rest of their careers.

Toews is this teams most important player hands down. NO question. Keith goes out there are folks to replace him and soon guys like Leddy and or Lalonde that would play a very similar game. Seabs, no one and Olson is no where near ready.



The Hawks play Physical they win. They don't they lose.

 

[Ton]

Toews is this teams most important player hands down. NO question. Keith goes out there are folks to replace him and soon guys like Leddy and or Lalonde that would play a very similar game. Seabs, no one and Olson is no where near ready.



The Hawks play Physical they win. They don't they lose.

I'm not sure I entirely agree that there is anyone to replace Keith if he isn't in the line-up for whatever reason. Leddy isn't near ready, and Lalonde will never handle that amount of ice-time in his career.



Toews may be the most important, but Keith plays a large role as well, if he isn't playing well (or isn't playing period, which we haven't had to deal with yet) the team suffers, no doubt. The Hawks need to play physical but they also need the defenseman to control the play from the backend, Keith plays a huge role in that facet of the game with his ability to move the puck up the ice and control the play in the offensive zone. It's not one or the other, we need both of Toews and Keith to play -- and play well.

 

[R K]

I suppose but under that theory then none of the three are replaceable. Leddy is closer to Keith than Olsen is to Seabrook.



Again when this team doesn't play physical they lose. It's just that simple. When they are out hit and out battled they rarely win. And keith has been a turn over machine this year. I'm not sure about now but at one point not to long ago he LED THE LEAGUE in GA's. Not sure what his problem has been. I don't think it's Seabrook though because like I said he was great when paired with a Shakey hjarlmarsson and a plus player before being re paired with Duncan. If Duncans game is not on, I guess neither will Seabrooks since they play polar opposite games.



I also agree with whom ever said they are hurting because of the loss of puck possession. The D are asked to do far greater things this year just due to that simple fact alone. So Puck Possession and Physicality. When the Hawks master both those they win far more than lose.



Playing 60 minutes would help too.

 

[esbrechtel]

I think there are a few factors at play here. I think both of these guys played really loose last year and have all of the pressure of expectations now. All you ever heard before was how underrated they are and how no one gives them credit. Then boom, everyone is raving about them and expectations go through the roof. Its a lot to handle all at once. On top of that you have this massive turn over from the team which probably doesn't help. I think losing a guy like John Madden for defensive purposes really hurts more than I realized (see PK). I also think losing Ladd was much worse than I thought originally. I mean I was bummed he was gone but now I really think that hurts them alot. Bolland and Ladd played with Seabrook and Keith an awful lot for 1.5 to 2 seasons.

 

[puckjim]

Hopefully the contract talks will progress smoothly and quickly.



I worry that Stan or others might feel the need to not only shake things up on this dead-ass team, but also try and make "splash" by acquiring a big name via trade in some sort of quixotic attempt at repeating.



If that were to happen, Seabrook would be a prime candidate for trade, especially if both sides are at an impass in negotiations.