Blackhawks Blowout Buffalo In Home Opener
The Blackhawks welcomed the Sabres to the United Center for their first meaningful home game of the 2014-15 season, and handled their business with authority in a runaway victory.
Chicago’s second line stole the show, starting less than one minute into the contest. Andrew Shaw was credited with his first goal of the season, tipping a Niklas Hjalmarsson shot past Jhonas Enroth. At 2:52, Duncan Keith scored his second goal of the season and the Hawks appeared to be well on their way to a devastating win over the young visitors.
But Buffalo didn’t go away. Zemgus Girgensons got the Sabres on the board at 7:17, and Tyler Ennis scored a short-handed goal at 18:40 to tie the game.
The score would stay tied through the second period in spite of Enroth struggling to control anything. He left dozens of rebounds in front of the net, but the Hawks weren’t able to capitalize more than twice in spite of 28 shots getting on net through 40 minutes.
In the third period, the dominant Hawks that scored twice in the first three minutes played a complete period, and put the nails in the coffin.
Patrick Kane scored the game-winner at 5:58 (see video above), and the Hawks started to own the puck. Marian Hossa scored a short-handed goal, the 30th of his career, at 10:03 and appeared to break the spirits of the Sabres.
For good measure, the Hawks would get a power play goal from Patrick Sharp and Daniel Carcillo scored his first of the season at 17:23 to close the scoring.
Chicago scored as many goals – four – as Buffalo had shots on net in the third period. More impressively, the Sabres only got one shot on net in their first three power plays and finished the night 0-4 with the advantage. The Hawks allowed the short-handed goal in the first, but finished the night 1-4 on the power play.
All three skated on the Hawks’ second line ended the night with multiple points. Brandon Saad led the Hawks with three assists, one blocked shot and two hits in the game. Kane had one goal and one assist (and one hit!), while Shaw was credited with two hits, one goal and one assist in the game.
Sharp led the team with seven shots on net and Jonathan Toews had two assists while winning 13 of 21 at the dot.
On the blue line, coach Joel Quenneville was more committed to keeping Trevor vanRiemsdyk with Hjalmarsson and David Rundblad with Johnny Oduya. TvR skated 14:01 in the game and Rundblad played 11:34, while Oduya was limited to only 16:22 in the game. Keith skated 27:25 and Brent Seabrook played 23:32 as the only Hawks skaters to go over 20 minutes in the game; Hjalmarsson finished the game with 19:58 on the ice.
Chicago put 47 shots on net in the game, including 19 in the third period. Corey Crawford stopped 21 of 23 in the victory, the 117th of his career. The win moves Crawford past Murray Bannerman into fifth in franchise history in victories; he is 20 behind Jocelyn Thibault for fourth on the organization’s all-time leader board.
Thats what I’m talking about! Expecting some nasty analysis on Brad Richards from some of the Commited Indian bunch here, but, all in all no complaints …and Carcillo got one…thats got to make a few of us cringe…I’m sticking with this guy…I like him.
Best team ever cup here we come!!!!
Way better effort!
For all those writing the season after the game in Dallas, does this game change your view at all or is BUF that bad? I think it’s more about the Hawks’ utter dominance personally. Hossa rebounded spectacularly after disappearing the first forty minutes of the year.
One bad rebound for Crow but other than that, solid performance.
Kane and Saad had the puck on a string all night.
Let’s go Hawks!
Richards has been underwhelming… thru TWO GAMES. He whiffed on a pass that led to the Sabres SHG and hasn’t been any kind of a spark. But, again, it’s been TWO GAMES.
Thru 2 games:
Chicago has out-shot their opponents 33-13 in the third period(s)
Chicago has out-scored their opponent 5-0 in the third period(s)
Sharp has a PPG in the third period of both games
MMan… You called it… Richards has played 2 stinkers- he is officially 2 for 2…
JS- here is the latest on TT
TT is younger, faster, cheaper (perhaps Hawks could have kept 8 w/ TT and NO Richards)… and -imo- Hawks would be better w/ TT in line-up vs. 91…
Runbad- he has got to go!!! Pokka-Pokka-Pokka!!!
TvR- had a strong game ( untested in the D zone… but shows some great instincts/IQ in the O zone)
Can someone tell Bickell that the season has started (better yet tell 29 – the Playoffs just started!!!)
I like TvR. I think the Hawks may have found a pretty good d-man. Yeah it’s only two games and he’s a college boy so maybe he hits the wall at some point, but you can see his poise and that he thinks the game pretty well. He makes the plays he’s supposed to. In the d-zone he’s in the right position. He joins the rush well and dives down to make himself available for a shot. He had a great outlet pass tonight to spring someone (can’t remember who). I’m looking forward to watch this kid grow into a solid NHL d-man.
Oh yeah – Hawks hit the 3rd period switch again and put the Sabres away. I hope they find the switch in the 2nd period of some games or maybe even the first period every once in a while.
Carcillo – Who’d of thought? I thought he had a solid night BEFORE he knocked that one in. Much better than expected.
Richards – Meh
Hossa – I feel lucky to get to watch this man do magical things on the ice game in and game out. 30 shortys speaks volumes about how he plays the game.
Rundblad – Correct me if I am wrong, I thought he looked pretty shaky and scared. Trade this guy for a puck bag and bring up Cden or Dahlbeck. It will be an instant upgrade.
Morin – Showed flashes of how effective he can and (hopefully) will be. Let him get more games under his belt and he is only going to get better.
TVR – Looked ok! Like Morin, let him get some more games under his belt and he is going to get better and better. Not sure if he should be here over Cden or Dahlbeck, but hopefully one of them joins him in Chicago soon.
I agree Tab but I think Richards will be a key cog going forward.
Rundblad played better tonight- not really saying much though
I liked Morin a lot last year and still do but he’s playing too fancy right now. So many times he passed up a decent scoring chance by making an extra deke or pass. Hopefully he can simplify his game. I would prefer to put him with 91 and 29 and keep 16 with 28 as Sr. Brad often suggests.
Thanks for the 3rd period stats Tab…thats a 100% turnaround from last year and bodes well for the future. I’m sure its part of the overall stategy and fixes that have been worked out.
Frolik– Buffalo IS that bad!!!
And the Sabres still had break-aways (more than the Hawks)… So that trend Continues!!!
On a positive note- Cbomb skated well ( he is a blessing – considering the other option would be Mashitter)- but still rather see MOOSE…
Smith needs Kruger
Now I know why NYR paid 91 to go AWAY!!!
ER- all aboard the TvR train…. Chhooo-chhooo!!!! Pokka-pokka-pokka!!!
Hartman w/ 2 goals tonite… 5g’s, 4a’s in 1st 10 AHL career games…
Hartman/TT/Morin or McNeill would be a better 3rd line today!!!
It was a rickety rockety game for 2 periods, then the hawks decided to hit the gas in the third period. I will say this : it is very tough to judge guys in the early going of the
Season. With the exception being saad, shaw, hossa and Keith who appear to be firing on all cylinders.
Some guys are still trying to impress the coaches and prove that they belong such as Carrillo, morin TVR and rundblad. Others like bickell, smith and Kruger look like the need to get the regular season wheels under them. On d, TVR had a couple glorious chances to score and failed. Rundblad actually does all right taking away a shooters time and space but when oduya passes him the puck d-to-d he handles it like a grenade fumbles it a few times then makes a decent play.
The good news is, this beats the craig hartsburg, 0-6-1 start and the Lorne Mollekin 0-4-4 start with pulford waiting in the wings.
I don’t have anything against 5 but he needs to be switched. He looks like hes being tackled by Posluszny out there.
Bicks, Dick Bangor and Steeger got their work cut out for them.
After 2 games, some here are all over Richards and that Carcillo is the best thing since sliced bread! Give it a rest, people! There are 80 games left! and as for TT being up here instead of Richards here—no.
Wall, benefit-of-the-doubt to Stan Bowman? Richards was a relatively cheap insurance policy in case TT was not ready for the NHL 10/16…and, Ville Pokka, who can’t skate like Leddy (who can?), may eventually turn out to be a better (all round) defenseman. (He’s 20 – for those concerned the Hawks have gotten older…)
EbonyRaptor – agree completely with your spot-on assessment of TVR…so far, we can see why he made the team (and a couple of other guys are surprisingly in Rockford). Now, they need to find a “good” 6th and 7th d-man, and get rid of the idea that eight can work – it doesn’t….then, they can add a forward.
In my opinion, Rundblad hasn’t been terrible — he looks like he’s either in way over his head, or he’s playing like he’s afraid to make any mistake resulting in sitting (in Q’s Doghouse). He’ll snap out of it or he will trade places with Dahlbeck or another Icehog.
Carcillo — we all know that he has (much) more skill than Mashinter, but he has earned a reputation – it seems to be inevitable that he will lose control…that said, he was really pretty good tonight, wasn’t he?
Too early to tar-and-feather and then hang Richards. TWO games. Really glad to see Morin getting some time to show what he can do.
2 for 2 is a great start!! Flames Wednesday — GO HAWKS!!
Eh. 2 games.
Re Richards: 2 mildo for a former playoff MVP is not a terrible risk. I think where he’s at around the all star break will provide a fairer assessment. Can’t have enough center depth. At least there are options down the middle this year.
TVR looks solid through 2. Lets see where he’s at in a few weeks. Schedule is light now but will crank up soon enough.
Patrick Kane is really really good at hockey.
Would be nice to see Keith closer to 25. Especially against a bottom feeder.
Carcillo still sucks.
15 Sat night games, wow. That was a lot of hockey. Possible early season aberrations seem to be pretty evident around the league but not in Chicago.
Buffalo is still bad, 88 is still gonna score vs. them and Q is gonna run Dunc’s TOI through the UC roof. 30 in Dallas, now 27 in a 4g win against the worst team in league. 29 is 29, and it’s all situation normal.
Lets not all pile on Richards just yet. He comes in at half the price of Bickell who isn’t doing much either. Give it time, they both have their roles to play. Can hardly wait to see the Hawks play an elite team to show us what they are made of this year. If Crow continues to play well they should be able to stay with any team in the league.
Nice to see the Hawks turn it on in the 3rd period instead of like last year when they came out & built a lead & then tried coasting…..
I hope this trend continues…..
I favor the three Rockford guys, but we have TVR for now. I already saw him do what Leddy did once or twice as a Hawk, take the puck to the front of the net. Leddy’s end to end rushes always ended with him behind the opponent’s net rather than him taking it hard to the net. God forbid, that would have meant physical contact which he avoided like the plague. He is gone and we are playing for another cup. TVR was positionally sound last night unlike Runblad who was clearly out of position a couple times which lead to scoring chances for Buffalo.
For all those on here viewing any critiques as negativism, Carcillo is on pace to score 41 goals this year. Rah! Rah! Hawks are on pace to be the first undefeated NHL team 82-0. Rah! Rah! Hopefully the Hawks play the Sabres in the cup finals, euphoria.
For those with their heads out of the sand that wish to discuss hockey, I offer my non-professional opinions.
Overall, a solid game. I am glad Shaw is getting the opportunity to play with Kane and Saad over Richards. He can skate with them and provides the net front presence and physicality that could make them one of the most productive lines in the NHL. Kane is Kane, nothing more to be said other than fantastic. Saad, what a beast. There was one shift where it seemed like he had the puck and no one else on the ice touched it for about a minute. He looked great. He is definitely progressing. Whoever described him as Lil’ Hossa was dead on.
The Hawks did what would be expected of a cup favorite over the worst team in the league, crush them. Morin still only had 8:57 of ice time. Pirri, make room for Morin on your line. Richards is the only minus player on the roster at -1 in our two game season to date. He is slow or slowing and will be a defensive handicap at the center spot. Tortarella and Vignault (sp?) knew that and relegated him to 4th line minutes in the last two playoffs. As Wall said, still too many odd man rushes allowed. Need to tighten that up because it was a major issue last year. Rundblad, so far, appears to be playing himself off the team. I was surprised we weren’t graced with Cumiskey in the line-up last night.
Go Hawks!!! Great game. Always nice to watch a Hawks’ blowout. Can’t wait for the next game.
Observations from last night…
John McD, we love ya, but for the love of God can we please dispense with making the UC a three ring circus. I didn’t know if I went to a hockey game or a Las Vegas extravaganza. Overload…please dial it back.
Brad Richards is not going to work out for his season here. I don’t know what Bowman was thinking. Did he get so desperate to add a Center that he ignored all other evaluations? Richards and Q are destined for an ugly relationship…Richards can’t fit the Q style of play folks. I can see Richards in the doghouse soon, and I wonder how that will fit with his veteran ego and sense of veteran entitlement.
TvR did alright last night. Hawks are wisely keeping his assignments simple, and he is hugely blessed for having Hjalmarsson on his side. The Sabres are hardly a litmus test for a young defenseman, but he looked okay to me.
Runblad on the other hand had better be out of here within two weeks. Because no way can he be a credible defenseman against a rugged Western Conference schedule. I just don’t get Bowman’s fascination with this guy.
Morin played better. Against Buffalo.
Saad and Kane were really a treat to watch. I still don’t like Shaw at Center or paired with those two. We have to find a way to get Shaw at RW. Hello Danault or Teuvo very soon I hope.
Hjalmarrson was the most underrated player in the Western Conference last season. I stick by that statement.
Note: Rufus is probably the ONLY person on the planet that didn’t enjoy the pregame last night.
Just for fun, let’s remove the name from the jersey.
If I told you the Blackhawks brought in a 3rd line center who had 50 points on an offensively challenged Rangers team last year for $2M, you would say….?
One more thing on Bickell. I think he DOES have a role to play, but it has become very clear to me that his 2013 playoff effectiveness was an aberration. So what we have is a serviceable enough big body LW who is quite overpaid. He’s not a $4 million forward in this league. Rather more like a $2 million type of guy and an interchangeable piece. So my expectations are downgraded. So long as he works his ass off on both sides of the ice and can get it through his thick skull that he MUST get his body to the crease much more than he likes to.
Tab, some of us veterans can do without the increasing menagerie that goes with the hockey game at the UC. It’s a little too much these days. The lights, the loudness, the video montages. Only a sliver of what is happening shows up on your TV screen.
Brad Richards has had a respected career. But what he has done in the past and what he did of late for the NY Rangers is of very little consequence to me. Unfortunately, I see a player that is going to struggle mightily to fit into the Blackhawks’ style of play. He’s a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. I don’t see this ending nicely. Some players just don’t fit some teams. And this sure looks like a case of that. No way Richards gets near 50 points in Chicago either…
Hey Q, keep that SKS line together! If it ain’t broke (and dominates on the ice), don’t “fix” it!
Good game for the Hawks. They should roll over Buffalo. On the good side Hossa had a nice game and Saad looked domant. Its exciting to watch a kid go from surprise to top six on this roster. Saad might be in for a 60-70 pt season. TVR might be a player after all. He had a few nice plays and didnt look completely overmatched.
Richards didn’t look good again and neither did Runblad.
Tab,
I would ask what was wrong with the guy with no name on his jersey? Why would an offensively challenged Ranger team let go a 50 point producer?
Then when I saw him play, I’d say that must be Richards who is a slow shadow of his former self. And, I would add that his defensive liabilities are not worth the 50 points offensively.
Loved the light show last night.
Oh yeah, I noticed something during the light show last night when the guy with no name on his jersey, Richards, was introduced. His shadow skated past him as he skated onto the ice. Thank God for light shows. It is pretty bad when your shadow skates faster than you do. LMAO Hahahaha!!!
I know it was ‘just the sabres’ but As few things stood out. TvR had a really nice game. He even got in on a few rushes though got a little excited and was offside on one of them. Was also nice to see Hossa get a goal after the game he had. Richards still looks a step slow and the turnover was terrible. Runblad just doesn’t look like an NHL player.
Carcillo drawing 2 penalties and getting a goal? He looked great against mediocre competition. Probably shouldn’t read too much into this one but was nice to see them win he home opener. Real good crowd last night too.
Rufus- Your 8:30 am post was spot on…
especially the 91, 29 comments…
TvR- looks like the 2nd coming of Seabs (minus the physicality) – Really shows high IQ/instinct to jump in on the play O side, and when to pinch… could have scored 2 goals… made some nice stretch passes too… of course he will make some mistakes- but got 4 to back him up… NOW the real test will come against HARD forecheck… but Like I stated earlier in camp- TvR looked the best out of D prospects- Dahlbeck is a “safe” player- But I think Q/Hawks were looking to Compliment/break-up 4/27 with more offensive minded D guys…
Hopefully, TvR continues… and Pokka is as responsible/smart as I read… this will give Hawks options to remove Runblad SOON!!!
Booman- Loved the Shadow comment… So what is 91’s nickname??? Shadow or Casper??? “shadow” and “Hand-cuffs” are going to make for 1 “Sick” line this year…
Agreed- 91 does not fit… he can’t skate with 20/88… Can’t put on a “Checking line” like a 16 or 36 type… So it’s Zus 2.0– 91 in my eyes only contributes w/ 81 and 10 or 20…
Honestly- I know the goal is for TT to be “top 6” guy… BUT the kid is positionaly sound/smart… TT would actually do very well on a “checking line”- He thinks the game as well as a Bolland type/ without the “cheating”…
Lastly- I wonder if Shaw will get fined for the Stick to the ballsack he gave Myers before Lurch sucker punched him!!! That was a very “Roussel” like play by 65!!!
I would take a 50pt 3C anyday.
50pts in east conference (8 of bottom10 teams) is like 30-35pts in cambell. Plus guys on our team would get more pts if on other teams that are not a loaded with skill. Just like Frozal in WIN.
Give Dick Banger a chance.
Wall- Shaw is Roussel and I’ve been saying that since last year! Also, I too would have rather seen TT get the 2C job over the signing of Richards, but I understand Bowman’s concern.
The people jumping on Richards and Bickell after two games are quite funny. I’m glad we can make all of these grand pronouncements after 1/41 of the games played. Why isn’t Bickell producing the same as he did in the 2013 playoffs? Oh, I don’t know, probably has nothing to do with not having Kane and Toews as his linemates or getting first unit PP minutes…. nothing at all.
P.S. Bickell had 7 goals in 19 games last playoffs. He had 9 goals in 23 playoff games in 2013. MAJOR DROP OFF. Guys, why couldn’t he continue that 18.4 shooting percentage for the rest of his career? What a bum.
Anyway, watching Kane and Saad on the same line together is just all sorts of hilarious. Both are ridiculously talented players and the result is going to be a scary payday for 20. Saad’s pass on Carcillo’s goal was absolutely insane vision. That kid…
Sharp with 13 shots and 2 goals in the first 2 games? Are the Olympics this year? He only plays for the Olympics, right?
TvR is learning quickly. Pretty damn impressed with his O zone work and we’ll have to wait to see what he can do in the D zone when they play a better team.
Runblad is thinking too much and he doesn’t think very quickly. Guy needs to have a shot or two before the game to help him relax I think. (this always works for me)
1. Saad
2. Shaw
3. Kane
Wait, are those three on a line together?
JS- Good news the Hawks are creating lanes and shooting the Puck on PP- so Far…
imo- Sharp hasn’t looked that good ( other than the PP) where I would guess 10-11 of his shots have come from… So – I am giving 10 an A on the PP… and C in 5 on 5…
53 on waivers.
Rufus – I 100% agree on the pre-game light show. My God, it just kept going and going and going. I think they tried too hard to make an awesome pre-game show.
That 3rd period was like the Harlem Globetrotters against the Washington Generals; and like someone said earlier, it is an absolute treat to watch #81 on a nightly basis.
My lasting memory of this game will be him fumbling that pass then tripping over the blue line to give up a breakaway
If Corey Crawford continues his play in net, we will win the cup again.
The 4th line looked excellent, Carcillo really had some jump in his step. We know he doesn’t have a ton of skill but if he is willing to hustle on the cycle, and keep moving the puck he will suffice. I would like to see smith moved onto this line and put Morin on another line. Smith and Kruger can go against any top line in the league defensively and compete.
As far as Richards goes, maybe Q should consider splitting up Hos/Toews/Sharp. When Versteeg gets healthy put him on a line with Toews and Hossa, then maybe sharp and richards can go together with a young player like Morin. And maybe let Richards sit a game and play Regin if TT isn’t available!?
Worst signing of the Bowman administration was Bryan Bickell, I think they had hopes he was going to become an underrated Dustin Byfuglien of 2010 but he clearly doesn’t have the skill or hockey smarts to compete as a $4mil a year player! Hopefully he was in the talks of trading when attempting to get more cap space! but I seriously doubt any team would eat his contract!! maybe Florida would ;)
Best team ever hawks rule
Sabers are horrific but as mentioned it was a game the Hawks needed to win by more than one goal in a shootout. TVR in game one (jitters) looked ok last night he played very well offensively. Nick Leddy was not given that freedom and had it drilled into his head to not get trapped in the offensive zone THANK GOD they are not doing that to TVR the kid can play and once he thinks shot first he will out score our other D-man. He was a bright spot as was the kane, saad and shaw line, chemistry and speed. Brad Richards looks lost out there but i’m sure in a week or two he’ll get in the game.
Rundblad +2
Why all the negativity?
Lucky……………
Hogs lost 3-2 in their opener but looked like the Hogs controlled play. Lighton was in goal. Ryan Hartman (my camp sleeper pick) had both the Hogs goals.
First of all, while I liked the season opener hoopla, I agree completely with RTF’s statements regarding the overly loud music and showy gimmicks meant to entertain the kids and tourists. The between the whistles techno pop music at 110 decibels rattling your brain is just stupid and we can thank Mr Bettman for this BS because his ideas about the fans needing to be entertained just like they did in the NBA. The “show” sucks there to, and a reason why I don’t go to Bulls games anymore. In contrast, the UC organ when that gets played between whistle stops, the fans really keep an eye on the ice and stay into the game. When the music is blasting you can barely say anything so that the person next 2 you can hear. The UC organ while sounding thin in preseason was back to the booming familiar sound us old fans are used to hearing. Is the loud music going to go away? No, but I can complain about it. Is it just me or are the lights new and improved at the UC? Either that or its the new circling bright lights advertising that changes up every minute or so?
Apart from the 3rd line, the other 3 were very good offensively the other night. The third line lacks chemistry IMO and lets see how this all plays out. 91 looks a bit out of sorts to start the season. No way is he as slow as Zus, but he will slow down linemates in much the same way. To early in the season to judge his net worth to the team, but he will bear extra scrutiny. I have to believe TT would be an improvement, because that kid is committed to playing 2 way hockey.
I like to focus each game I attend on a few different players. Saturday night I chose Shaw, Hossa, TvR, Morin, and Rundblad. The 2nd line right now is really good. My God, Shaw just plays the game with such passion. Before Shaw got clocked by Myers, did anyone else see Shaw pop Myers in the stones in front of the net? Sure in there you give and you get. On that play Shaw gave and got a lot back. He got a shot to the head and a facial meeting with the ice along with a 2 minute penalty to Myers. The front of the net battles Shaw is willing to engage, are just down and dirty. Last note on Shaw is how good he has become at screening goalies vision for such a a little guy. Yes, Bickell needs to do more of this especially against big and tall keepers. Brian Bickell are you out there??
Runblad looks nervous and unsure of himself. He also looks a bit slow on the skates, but that’s just my take. TvR seems to get it. I think he will be ok. He has a good sense of what is going on out on the ice. Morin needs to shoot sooner, but he is getting himself into position to score which I think means he can take it to the next level. he also made a coast to coast dash that was impressive. He should have drove hard to the net, but was content with swinging wide. With more minutes he will improve. He has the tools and a strong heart.
Hossa was in top form last night, with that one dash where he stick-handled past multiple defenders(pity he didn’t finish at the net), and then that surgeon like wrist shot that was a rocket for the shorty. One has to marvel at the Hossa commitment to playing 2 way hockey most of the time.
Lots of days off here in the first week for the Hawks. Plenty of time figure out how to reduce odd man breaks by opponents that have been way to many if you want to count playoffs last year. Q needs to get these guys back to playing strong 2 way hockey and not cheating for offensive advantage. We can’t count on CC to bail em out, and against good teams they are going to make the Hawks pay unless that trend changes. If it means sitting high paid superstars on the team for missed assignments then so be it.
Lets Go Hawks!!
With regard to the 3rd line lacking chemistry. I think they deserve to be cut a bit of slack here. Richards became a dad last Tuesday, and in the week since, he lost the second-line center job, missed a couple of practices, went straight from the hospital to Dallas and played two games. Not much time for “jelling” for the three of them. IMO I truly believe they will be a productive line as soon as they get a bit more quality time together and not just a couple of morning skates.
Phil, nothing to disagree with and nothing to add – nice summation.
Drop the Puck – Re: Runbad… are you kidding me- he was awful… almost led to another breakaway goal… bumbling… yes he is +2… but for the Corsi guys… he is one of the few negatives on the Team… TvR is a + Corsi and doing quite well…
His Days are numbered/barring the SB fixation…
Phil- pretty much what I said Re- 65 nut shot,,,TT would be way better option for Hawks vs. 91,,, 3rd line has been bad (91/29),,, TvR show promise,,,Runbad sucks!!!!
With the cap being such an issue this year and next (possibly)… i cant help but think the holding Clendening and TT in rockford is solely to “limit” their next contract.
SB can use the “you’ve only played in X games and scored X points” so we will give this lesser amount that is compareable to other players with such games/points.
just a thought on a monday morning.
That said, i think 91 will be fine. its been 2 games, he will find a groove… and to be honest, we dont need him in october. We may need him in April, so i dont care what he does now… just save some in the tank.
The guys im really unimpressed with are 27 and 5, especially together. They will need to get something going otherwise 27 will end up with 4 again, and then TVR will be stunted by only playing 10 minutes with Cumiskey or Runblad… TVR with Hammer give him a great chance to grow with a very good D-Partner. i like that pairing so far, but i fear it could be short lived out of getting 27 and 4 apart. Maybe try TVR with 27 and 5 with 4 before putting 4 and 27 back as a pair.
Mashinter has cleared waivers and is an Icehog…..thank god for that!!!!
TvR and Runbad are going to get their shot. Both must clear waivers to be demoted. SB is afraid both would get PU off waivers and thus here they are. In TvR’s case, that is probably true. While not at DeKayser level, many teams were interested. He has to get his shot now. As for Runblad, I think this is one of those instances where SB’s ego is in the way. And if Runblad IS picked up off of waivers…….who cares??
@Mike, not sure where you’re reading TVR would need to clear waivers to be sent to the Rock. He wouldn’t, Runblad would.
TVR looks really good, Runblad less so – he appears a bit unsure of himself, nervous. He has obvious talent though – might be a good idea to let him play for an extended stretch to get the jitters out and see what they really have in him.
Tab, I must agree with Rufus regarding the pre-game. So he is not the only one on the planet with that thought. To me, it was nauseating.
But three minutes into the first, it was quickly forgotten!
Lets Go Hawks!
Phil, great post…
I am a fan of 29, but someone needs to explain to Bickell his job is to be a down and dirty, physical player and camp in front of the net. It seems someone told him he is a big, talented skill guy and to save the tough stuff for the playoffs. Aggravating.
I know that Richards and Runblad are getting bashed from a lot of people, so far. In regards to Brad Richards, this guy is a veteran player who still has a little gas left in the tank. Q is going to give him 10 games to get acclimated to his teammates and the style of play that the Hawks play. The guy had 50 points on very bad Stanley Cup team, he has won a cup and he is a good teammate. He will have a lot more “good games” than “bad games”.
Runblad isn’t a bruiser who is going to take the body. The great thing about sports, especially pro hockey, is that it exposes your weaknesses very quickly. He can skate pretty well, he makes good passes, he makes smart plays and he has good hockey sense. Q will give him 10 games to see his assets / liabilities, too.
My guess is that Q has a score card on every Hawk player. He rates each player on a scale from 1-5 in all 3 zones. His bench mark is Duncan Keith for “D” men and Toews for the forwards. Keith is a 5 in all zones, so he gets a 15. Runblad might score a 4 in the “D” zone, a 5 in the neautral zone and a 4 in the “O” zone. 13 points might be good against the Buffalo Sabres, but against the Blues, the Hawks may need a 14-15 to compete in the game.
But you’d be surprised how watching a game film can drop a guy from a 15 to a 12 and raise another from an 11 to a 14. And it’s not just the bad turnover that kills the score, either, it’s players positioning in each zone and how they react in different situations. Every player makes mistakes on the ice, sometimes it’s how you atone for the mistake that keeps you in the line up.
Confidence is everything in sports, ESPECIALLY in hockey because it’s so fast and so violent. That’s why you see Q put young guys with vets. Right now, I think Q is trying to get TVR and Runblad some confidence so they can get better and help us out through the long season.
Who am I to question a coach who has won 2 Stanley Cups?
Runblad has been lousy. The only thing he has going for him is Q’s willingness to pair him with Oduya. But I’ve seen enough of Runblad. He is what he is, and that is not remotely good enough to be a Top 7 defenseman for the Hawks.
Would anyone be upset if Runblad was claimed on waivers? Sure they gave a 2nd, but that pick is already gone and you’re not getting that back from him.
The impatience with Runblad is head scratching for me. It has been two games. He played maybe 7-8 games last year. I’m not emotionally invested in the guy but it’s obvious mgmt. has a bit more patience than some commenters – and that to me is a good thing.
Usually, 20 games or so is a good measuring stick to see what they’ve got in a player. Now they may waive him tomorrow and that won’t devastate me, but i can’t see them totally giving up on Runblad after two games.
We’ll see what happens.
Manshinter has been waived. Id be surprised if Runblad is on the team by 2015
Roszival is now healthy and says he is ready to play. Cumiskey appears to be in no mans land roster wise. TVR is going to play. Rundblad might rotate with rosy but that will not do him any good in terms of development and confidence. Based on the way the hawks swing and miss at 2nd rounders(holl, Simpson, rensfeldt), I’d be surprised if they wait and wait for rundblad to get the nerves out, especially since dahlbeck appears to be NHL ready
Mike,
I think Riemsdyk (based on contract, age, etc.) has to play in 60 games before he has to clear waivers.
With 53 clearing waivers we gained only 80ish k, since his caphit was prorated when he was on IR (82k to 162k). Which means we would have around 750k at deadline (roster staying similar to what it is at now/caphitwise, regardless of who is on 23man).
Rotoworld is reporting the Rosy is not ready to play yet but most likely Saturday.