Blackhawks In Action In 2016 World Championships Quarterfinals
- USA 2 – Czech Republic 1
Tyler Motte skated 15:10 and put four shots on net and Vince Hinostroza skated 12:32 with one shot on net as the United States advanced in a shootout victory. Auston Matthews scored both US goals. For the Czech Republic, defenseman Michal Kempny – a prospect who has been tied to the Blackhawks recently – skated 24:30 with three shots on net.
- Finland 5 – Denmark 1
Ville Pokka skated 15:40 with three shots on goal and was plus-two for Finland.
- Russia 4 – Germany 1
Artemi Panarin skated 16:14 without a shot on net as Russia advanced.
- Canada 6 – Sweden 0
Erik Gustafsson was limited to 5:41 in the loss; he was on the ice for only 63 seconds in the opening 40 minutes of the game.
On Saturday, the United States will face Canada and Russia will play Finland. The winners will advance to Sunday’s championship game.
I watched the game between CZE and USA this moning and I think that Kempny will be a good 5th def … Maybe not a top4? My prediction:
1. Keith
2. Seabrook
3. Hjalmarsson
4.
5. Kempny
6. van Riemsdyk
7. Gustafsson
If Kempny signs and he isnt a 4th, then the Hawks havent got any better again! This will be back to back offseasons wasted where Stan has failed to put enough talent in place.
How about the Sharks shutting out the Blues. That was a poor road game. They need a huge bounce back otherwise the Sharks will be West champs! Never in a million yrs would i have predicted these last 4 or even 8 teams. Truely a changing of the guard across the league.
SSHM- the Sharks the past two games ( watched in spurts) – Manhandled the Blues…
actually reminds me of the Hawks 2010 versus Sharks PO’s… Sharks couldn’t do shit… Blues couldn’t do shit!!!
Three is six is a good run, it equals the best six-year period in a quarter of a century. I think the best we can hope for at this point is Detroit’s four-in-14 record from 1995 to 2008. I fear the core’s window is closing fast; I question whether we can find a #4 d-man on our budget. (The salary cap is ruining hockey.) With more than a third of the cap tied up in just three players (Towes, Kane and Crow), Bowman has to be nearly flawless in his moves, and yet his recent mistakes (Bickell and Sharp) have been costly. The Oduya for Daley experience was a disaster. The Scuderi and Ehrhoff makeovers fell short. Without the Panarin signing we likely would not have made the playoffs.
I agree with SSHM. If Bowman cannot find a solid #4 to replace Oduya, it will likely mean another first round exit or worse. If we lose Shaw and cannot replace him (Hartman?), I wouldn’t rule out missing the playoffs.
Lastly, Q and Bowman need to get on the same page. Dano deserved to make the team out of camp and see more than 13 games of action. Daley’s pre-trade 2014-2015 analytics were horrible and his style of play was at odds with Q’s expectations. Daley’s inclusion in the trade cost us Oduya and Bowman simply assumed Q could make Daley work. It was pounding a square peg into a round hole.
Scott- I have watched Hartman several times in Rockford…
Hartman – does not and will NOT replace Shaw- the only thing similar in my eyes-
Hartman hits and commits a lot of Penalties like Shaw… BUT- that is it!!!
Shaw is quicker/more nimble skater… smarter… and can finish around net- while being hit in face/cross-checked over and over!!! end of day- Shaw has way more grit/and way BIGGER heart!!! and better hands than Hartman
IMO- the ONLY guy that can possibly replace what Shaw brings in grit/toughness around the goal is Motte… Not saying Motte plays like Shaw… but Motte is stronger than his size (like Shaw)… will go to dirty areas (can he finish- NHL/dirty areas???)… though- Motte is not a “wild-card” like Shaw… Motte has good IQ and is very responsible… Motte -competes like Shaw
Is it too outlandish to think Brad Richards comes back on a cheap 1yr deal and plays 3rd line center, with Kruger as fourth C? It looks like he won’t be offered a deal with the Wings and he could be an effective 3rd line shutdown, even though his best point producing days are over.
If Kemp is a 5th damn then someone Albertina the roster needs to improve this next year TVR needs to take the next step it will be a contract year for him I believe
@Tab
I agree with Q’s comments on Shaw, he is “irreplaceable.” They need to -re-sign him. If they can’t, and many have suggested that possibility, whoever takes his place will have to be a diamond in the rough. I just don’t see that happening. It happened with both Shaw and Saad, but you can roll only so many sevens. I want Shaw back. Without him and an emerging, solid #4, I see a struggle to make the playoffs, especially if Hossa is indeed in decline. But I am not suggesting that Hartman is shaw….
Brad Richards had 28 points in 68 games.
What I actually wouldn’t mind is a guy like Mime Richards on the 4th line. He’ll be cheap. Your not expecting offense from him.
@ Ernie
The problem w signing a guy to forth line money as a center is the Hawks have a 4th liner they are paying 3 million dollars to that doesnt do anything on offense.
My rabid Detroit fan work nemesis (Hello, Newman!) would like to see Brad Richards back in the fold there next season. Interesting that they might not offer him a one year. Man, are they possibly taking it in the shorts with the Datsyuk cap hit, if that comes to pass.
Quite a lot could hinge on whether Shaw is back or not (obviously). I think it will be very interesting to see if one of the five D-men Tab listed the other day sign with Chicago as free agents. I wouldn’t bet on Campbell being one of them, seems like Florida wants him back.
However, as these playoffs showed the Blackhawks and others, turnovers by top 4 D-men are killers. Keith and Seabrook had some that hurt, and Leddy had a couple in the Islanders’ series that were brutal. Kind of reminded me of some plays that got him in Q’s doghouse. Crawford’s season was stellar, IMO, especially with the amount of times he was left out to dry by bad decisions and turnovers on his sign of the blue line.
Go Blackhawks!!!!
At 3 million Kruger can’t be slotted as a 4c. He has put up solid numbers before. And not long ago. Some r&r will hopefully do his body good. But I think the quality of players he had been with also has hurt his offensive production.
I’m skeptical his offense comes back. But his role has changed from a possible 2c candidate to a total defense only shutdown guy. Would a role change focusing on more offense with more talented offensive players help?
Krugs doesn’t have to be 3rd line just because hes at 3/yr. When hes 4th line center, the 4rd line center can be .600-.900 so it the same difference. I think its whos on what lines.
I only saw Motte play live 2 times a few yrs ago and I was surprised that he stood out. Thing is, like Walls saying, he didn’t just stand out here and there, he fricken was making it hard not to watch him almost everytime he was taking a shift. You turn your head and he just kept playing that way you turn your head back and watch.
@Wall
Was interested in your comments. I watch the prospects as much as I can but have only seen a bit of Motte and Hartmann. That said, your comments confirm my impression of both. Motte seems strong on his skates and hard-nosed. Hartmann leaves me cold (I see him as trade bait at this point).
Any comments on McNeill? He’s always been solid two ways and he put up good numbers this year. Even though he’s been slow to develop I’m still optimistic. What do you think?
Jordyhawk- couple years ago… I had McNeill as a waste of space (with Clendening-who I absolutely hated)… McNeill- has improved in my eyes… one of best wrist shots on Hogs…
He seemed to play well with TT (in limited time together)
Plays smaller than he is listed ( and I have stood several feet away from him- no way is that guy close to 6’2″!!!
I have “warmed” on him… and Hoping I was wrong on him… cautiously optimistic- I guess… Which I never was on C-den or Bickell… for what it’s worth.
I see Aho- for Fins scored 2 g’s today to beat Russia… Aho- luv him… he reminds me of Filpula/Bergeron type of player… does everything well, high IQ, solid all around game…. Hurricanes found a GEM there!!! 2nd rounder???
I believe McNeill along with Pokka reside in Q’s DOG HOUSE. Therefore, they’ll be buried in Rockford .They should be packaged with Tuevo ( before their trade value deminishes ) and maybe get a good return.It seems that all the recalls from Rockford get to play one game, than press box time and than back to Rockford,In some cases , they get recall and don’t play. I believe Johns was such player.I guess the trick is not to F up in your first game.Oh shit , keep forgetting Rundblad was the EXCEPTION . got recalled , F UP, and got to play again. SORRY.
Motte with 2nd period goal in semi’s vs. Canada today!!!
In Quarters vs. Czech… noticed Motte was “trusted”/put on ice in OT and Late game PK at crucial times… so that says something
I missed the first period but what I saw was a good game.
@Wall: Thanks for McNeill report.
I never knew what anyone saw in Clendening either. Threw out way too many stretch passes and his idea of defense seemed to be waving his stick at guys as they went by him. We were so lucky to still be able to draft Saad after him. Moving him to Van for Forsling could work out nicely though.
Nice release by Motte on the goal today as well. Hockey player.
For all the rundblad angst. I will they say this. The guy was nestled away in Rockford, having played in Zurich, and all of a sudden, the playoffs start and he gets recalled, then Q has a massive change of heart and decides that Rozy is done and Rundblad is good enough to play in the NHL playoffs. Wait what ?
If the hawks truly want to find out if Rundblad is an NHL player. Roll him out there for the first 25 to 30 games in October and November, playing the right hand side on the third pair. No pressure of getting benched for one turnover here or there, tell him “just go play”. If he falls on his face, send him to Zurich and this time don’t bring him back.
Craig, I’ve long thought Rundblad is an NHL player. Just not an NHL defenseman. Maybe it’s just a confidence thing. But he turtles in his own zone. I just wonder if he might be better served as a forward. He can pass, he can shoot, he can skate. He’s just not physical at all.
Adding a 4th defenseman given our salary cap dilemma will be near impossible.
The Hawks enter a new era now after a brilliant eight year run. Playoffs cannot be simply assumed in 2016-17. Shaw will be gone which is a major blow. Hossa is no longer top 6 material, so who on earth flanks Toews at LW and RW is a very serious issue. Panarin will be a salary cap victim after next season. The options to fill out four lines past Toews, Kane, Anisimov, Panarin, Hossa, Kruger are a bunch of NHL nomads and msrginal upside youngsters (excluding Motte hopefully). This team is starved for a top four defenseman who will be impossible to add because of the cap. And the core, while certainly still very talented and all, is aging and a high mileage group that will become more reliant on a quality supporting class, not less.
Interesting times. New era entered.
RTF- your last sentence of 1st paragraph… says it all!!!
Sadly, I don’t see much help from Rock( excluding Motte, Schmaltz ?? ( Fabbri looks like SB missed on that one)… )… recent Picks– terrible… this Draft- NO 1st/2nd!!!
Here is to hoping Kempny is real deal… OR major Euro signing ( 72’s Russian C/buddy???)… or Vesey- (fat chance)
Rtf, I’m not sure it’s as dire as that.
The Hawks biggest competition is from within their own division. St. Louis beat us by one goal(kind of ironic seeing that that’s been the McDonough marketing mantra for our team now for a few years).
St. Louis might lose Brouwer and Backes this off season. That would a major sea change for them. So their window to win the Cup might be right here, right now in the next 3 weeks.
Jamie Benn wants in the neighborhood of 10 million. Plus Dallas’ goaltending woes are not vanishing. Add to that 2 of their top 4 defensemen in Goligoski and Demers might depart. We will see how Jim Nill manages all of this.
The good news for Stan is that the success of our greatest competitors has now left them with cap dilemmas as well.
I do agree with you that the supporting cast around the core must be better quality.
Hartman was a 1st rounder in 2013. Time to find out if he’s an NHLer or not. McNeill
Was a 1st rounder in 2011, now or never for him as well.
Keep our fingers crossed that Stan can make a pitch to Vesey on 8/15. The kid has said he is going “to listen” to what’s out there. That would be like acquiring a free first round pick.
Also, Stan insisted last summer that he get NHL players in return for his salary cap led trades. He did not want draft picks or prospects. He wanted to try to repeat. That plan failed to a large degree. With very little cap room again, Stan might have no choice but to take picks and prospects back in deals, which will not be a bad thing.
Lots of teams are getting ready to go Stamkos crazy. New York could make Nash available. Wings are trying to find someone to take Datsyuks contract. We know Toronto wants him.
2 things will effect the Hawks off season. Whether or not the players invoke their 5% escalator. And whether or not Bickell can be traded or has to be bought out. If he can be dealt and the escalator raises the cap the Hawks then have roughly 8 million more dollars.
Vesey probably goes to Boston. But he did say some interesting things recently on the process and does sound like he wants to hear everyone’s pitches. If Motte can be a legitimate NHL player right away that helps tremendously. There has been some talk about Vadim Shipachyov and Evgeni Dadonov coming over. Igor Eronko speculated a reunion with Panarin isn’t out of the question. But the cap makes it difficult. Radulov wants to come back as well.
Good stuff Ernie. If Dadonov is a legitimate top 6 winger, that could be a great get.
With the Hawks having missed out on Kevin Hayes, Mike Reilly and Drake Cagiulla, maybe we finally nail down one of these college blue chippers and get Vesey. With so many other teams focused on July 1, perhaps Stan puts the full court press on JV.