Blackhawks Fall To Habs 3-1
The Blackhawks dropped another home preseason game, this time to the Montreal Canadiens.
Antti Raanta got the start in net and stopped 16 of 18 Montreal shots in the loss. Rene Bourque and Nathan Beaulieu scored inside of the first six minutes of the third period and the Hawks weren’t able to catch up.
Brandon Saad found Andrew Shaw for a breakaway during 4-on-4 action later in the third to draw the Hawks within one, but an empty net goal from Michael Bournival closed the books on the night’s scoring.
The Hawks power play sucked again, failing on all four of their opportunities with the (theoretical) advantage. Truthfully, the Hawks only failed on two complete power plays in the game; Kris Versteeg took a stupid penalty 26 seconds into the third power play, and the fourth came with only 48 seconds left in the game.
Brandon Mashinter was credited with three hits and one blocked shot in 8:11 on the ice. Jeremy Morin was the only other Blackhawks player held under 10 minutes of ice time; Morin had three shots on net, two hits and one takeaway on the night.
Kyle Cumiskey, Michal Rozsival and Bryan Bickell were minus-two each. Trevor van Riemsdyk skated 18:25 and was credited with two blocked shots and two hits.
Jonathan Toews led a mediocre night at the dot for the Blackhawks. Chicago’s captain won 12 of 16 faceoffs, and Marcus Kruger won six of eight but the rest of the roster struggled. Brad Richards won only three of 12 and Shaw won five of 15.
Shaw led the Hawks with six shots on net and was one of five Blackhawks with a team-high three hits in the game. Johnny Oduya led the way with four blocked shots. Patrick Kane was credited with two blocked shots.
The Blackhawks have until 5 pm ET on Tuesday, Oct. 7 to be under the salary cap.
Mashitter makes Bollig look like Gretzky!!! Not a good skater… please Q, Don’t!!!!
Rosey is slow…
Keith still can’t shoot…
The Hawk’s All Stars might want to wake up pretty soon!!! Season starts next week…
Good news – Mashitter might be hurt… so Perhaps RasMOOSEn gets the call sooner than later…
TvR – looked very good/aware… great long stick… anticipates, and makes good decisions…
Bad News- Versteeg was one of the best players out there…
with TvR and Johns coming… SB should entertain moving 7 too…
Despite Versteeg’s dumb penalty, he was the best forward out there tonight. Looked like the Verbeauty of old with his speed. Made some nice plays, but finishing was a problem for the whole team. Would like to see him stay this year with 65 and 29 as his line mates. Saad and TvR showed some flashes.
Overall lackluster game for the whole team. Rozy looked slow once again. Was hoping for a crisper game as October 9th looms closer, but this team has been through this before.
Let’s go Hawks!
Very true, wall. I hope Q doesn’t keep Mashinter in the NHL. He made a few decent hits, but he can’t skate whatsoever.
Lines:
10-19-81
20-91-88
29-65-23
11-16-28
Michal “Turnstyle” Rozsival should not make the team. Period. Even if a young d-man takes his place and makes a couple mistakes – it won’t be as bad as the sloth on skates which is what Rozsival has aged into. Plus, the young player making mistakes is learning and getting better and there’s still upside vs. Rozsival making mistakes which aren’t mental as much as they are physical so there is no “getting better” and there is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to put up with Rozsival’s poor play.
But Q likes him.
Keith is is mid-season form as far as PP point shots hitting opposing players and bouncing out of the zone.
But Q likes him there.
Mashinter is a waste of a roster spot, not to mention cap space.
But Q likes a scrapper in the lineup.
In Q we trust. I guess.
I was at the game. Disappointed TT did not play.
Versteeg was moving well tonight. He should have taken a couple shots but opted to pass. When he did get off some shots he missed the net. Morin was chippy trying to convince Q he could bring a physical game. TVR look smooth. Cumiskey was flying around when on the ice. All seemed to be playing for something to prove.
Mashinter? Why is he even here…
Rosy looked fabulous tonight and would make a nice addition to a team in need of some D help. (NOT!!! I am hoping a GM from another team is reading my post.)
I was watching Richards to get a read on his speed. He’s always trailing Kane and Saad down the ice. He is slow. That scares me and I am wondering if he will be a defensive liability.
Can’t wait for the trade or trades to happen…
Nice comments everyone, great analysis…thanks Wall for the injury report on Mashinster…
I believe everything that I said about Mash was pretty obvious. He is a 25 year old rookie in his 3rd organization for a reason…he doesn’t have the speed to be an NHL forward. His lacklustre performance kept that 4th line off the ice, when they should have play a bunch more…even if he did show something, you simply cannot justify a roster spot on a guy like this when a host of real speed and talent is waiting for game action…
Rozy cannot be trusted. Bowman has the ability to deal Rozy now for a 6th or 7th round pick this year or next and it really needs to happen. As ER said, one of the youngsters needs to take his spot and start learning the NHL game.
Yes Cumiskey was flying around the ice, but he wasn’t hitting anyone, he never once knocked anyone of the puck in our zone, or won a board battle…there is a MAJOR REASON why Cumiskey has spent the last few years in Sweden and not the NHL. Even with his speed, he should NOT take a roster spot away from one of the young DMen.
TVR did look good out there Wall, not aggressive en0ugh for my liking, but he has D zone awareness, good use of his stick, so he maintains good positioning…and he competes for the puck. Nice looking young player…
Steeger did look good out there again…he’s had a nice camp so far…Q said after the SSK game that Steegs looked like he did in 2010 with his speed and energy.
With 7 days to go before the trade must be made, it is clear to me that the Hawks have done NOTHING to get stronger on Defence and do a better job with their net presence in front of the goalies. Oduya, Rozy, Cumiskey, even TVR are not excelling in this area, and we must get better at it. Dahlbeck and Clendening have been battling in front of their own net and working hard to clear out the crease. Lets hope the right move(s) are made and soon.
Wall, I get the sense that our “elite” players are being very cautious this preseason to make sure there are no injuries, so I wouldn’t read too much into it. But I am very surprised that the Hawks did not play TT tonight and Friday…it makes you think that they want him in Rockford, at least for now…
Last preseason game Friday vs. the Kevin Hayes led Rangers…hopefully Bowman has a deal done before then…
I hope they’re just “showcasing” Versteeg. (“Kris Versteeg took a stupid penalty 26 seconds into the third power play” – thank you, Tab. To all those “pulling-for” Versteeg and leaning on the came-back-too-soon/rehabbing-instead-of-training set of excuses, you don’t address the “stupid” part of his game. Make no mistake, it’s there, and it was there in 2010. He makes perhaps more than a fair share of bad decisions, and at times plays like he doesn’t understand *team* concept.)
Rozsival is in “mid-season form” (although took no out-of-position/behind-the-play penalties). (See also: EbonyRaptor’s comments…)
I defended Bollig a lot during last season when he got regular 4th line minutes – I still maintain he was a “decent” 4th line wing for the most part. Stan B. got more than he was worth sending him to Calgary. Mashinter is not even as good as Bollig was — I really hope Q (and Bowman) aren’t serious about carrying this guy. (See also: Sr. Brad’s comments…) Maybe they can call him up to face StL/Reaves or Col/McLeod, etc.? If he steals ice time from Regin or a few others in the organ-EYE-zation, we have to question the leadership, right?
After all the development time in the AHL for some of our young prospects…..would be a shame if we find Mash and Rosy in the opening night lineup. Rosy is a tough trade but take a 7th rounder if you have to SB……please.
Versteeg showcase game? Or we can hope. My negative opinion of Versteeg is well documented. He can’t be trusted game to game and his stupidity on the ice invariably rears its ugly head.
Rosival is untradeable. So let’s not think otherwise. Maybe he gets the Khabby treatment and gets put on LTIR as part of the cap reduction plan.
Cumiesky is a terrible fit. Don’t want him. Let’s please move on.
With all due respect to TVR I don’t understand how he can make this roster over Johns…or Clendening. Very clear to me the Hawks need a blueliner and a presence in the crease. That describes John and his NHL ready game.
I have a growing suspicion that Raanta is ticketed for Rockford at least for awhile. Perhaps as part of a clever cap management plan by Stan.
TVR will not be on the final roster. Remember, he played College hockey so I believe they want to see how the kid does against NHL caliber players before sending him to the Rock for experience. With said experience I think his future looks very bright…..
The Hawks and Stan are screwed. I don’t see anyone trading with him. Why would a team do it unless a major injury happens over the next couple days. Not happening.
They’re going to have to demote Rozy to get a little relief and send Raanta and Morin down to also help. They’ll go with Rundblad, Cumiskey and Leighton and only 21 players and pray an injury occurs to some team so a trade can be made early in the season.
They don’t have a back to back until the end of November and the early schedule has a good amount of off days.
It’s like deja vu this fall with Q-he’s stubborn-what is ironic is that there is a lot of talk in S. Ontario about goons and 4th lines and the analysts are saying to compete with the Kings and Blackhawks of the world you need to have fast, gritty players on the fourth line-ie. no Colton Orrs’
Trade a combo of CC, Sharp, Oduya or Leddy… for JvR (true power forward- Hawks don’t have) and Kadri and draft Picks… Hawks might even take one of their goalies or eat some $$$ for one year to make it work cap wise!!!
the Hawks will save a crap ton in Cap… and Have TvR/JvR bros… as opposed to the Hayes hoes!!!! and will have more than enough room to Pick up a rental near end of season… as well as have cap space for next year!!!
Of course- this is Fantasy- Cuz Leafs would not do it!!!
What options are there with #32? Can they put him on waivers with the intent of sending him to Rockford?
What are the ramifications if their are no trading partners and we can’t get cap compliant?
FNs 4 offense lines look great. Bickell and Morin can be the “enforcers” Bickell needs to understand that he is not a big Kane. 3d line power forward makes sense for him. He needs to embrace the role. Morin will do ANYTHING Q asks to stay in the show.
On Defense, Johns would add the size presence we need. I think he and Leddy would make a great 3d pairing.
I have no problem losing Versteeg. Move Shaw to wing and let Regin center the 3d line.
A lot of over reaction for the preseason. This is going to be a longgggggggg year.
Pretty much agree in full with Rufus here. I’m not sure if Versteeg’s ceiling is worth his floor. Cumiskey isn’t very good. Johns impresses me more than TVR.
I’m quite the Bowman fanboy, but that Rozsival deal has me scratching my head and really would be questioned a lot more if not for the Cup that he helped hoist. I would have been fine with a one year deal, but this year will likely be a brutal one for ol’ Rozy, especially since he’s blocking the development of some younger blueliners. He needs to be nothing more than a 7th defensemen and he’s way too expensive for that luxury.
Re: trade/Cap situation…
I think this is turning into a case of you can’t have your cake and eat it too!
SB/should have moved someone around the draft… but instead wanted to assess the “growth” of the prospects + 23 to see who could fill in — and then deal…
well- now other GMs know the clock is running out… and are in control of SB/trades to some degree…
If you couple that with- Hawks will still have a lot of Cap issues next year w/ 88/19/20 deals… SB – SHOULD be entertaining other possible trades – guys who make a lot and or are nearing their “golden years” in hockey life… 10,7, and even CC – should ALL be considered if the Return is right!!!
Best and Only option for 32…
LTIR- and pay him to get drunk in the press box with Sponsors!!! Like a Carlton Fisk
I’m not going to get too concerned with the preseason showing by the vets but I agree with many of the comments made. Emelin was taking great pleasure in running everybody last night and if Mashinter is really going to be “the great protector” he needed to step up his physical game to send a message there to deter that kind of behavior. That’s the ONLY value he provides. Otherwise he is just taking a lineup spot from someone more deserving.
I thought Rozy was brutal last night – preseason or not. He was never the best skater but at least in the past he typically had strong positioning, could be physical and block shots. He was so slow last night. If this is what is what he has left in the tank then he needs to go…anywhere…. please…
I thought JVR had a strong game. He is calm under pressure and is versatile enough to pair him with anyone.
I have faith in Bowman ,but the closer we get to Tuesday the less leverage there is to make a productive move instead of a pure salary dump+giveaway a prospect or draft pick.
Carey Price was also incredible last night. Different outcome with a different goalie in there last night.
I’m not panicking about the play in the preseason it’s the roster construction. I still can’t see a team letting him off the hook on that until the season starts.
“The Hawks and Stan are screwed. I don’t see anyone trading with him.” – this actually made me laugh out loud.
Worth noting: Bobby Ryan signed a 7-year extension w/ Ottawa this morning. $7.25M cap hit
HH are you intimating that the loss was on Raanta? He let in 2 goals that he had no chance on…2+ chances at the puck in front of the net is going to result in a goal every time. Raanta isn’t going down, he’s had a very good preseason…Darling’s depth gives us options down the line re: what Wall said…
Q praised Rozy’s first 40 minutes before dumping on his 3rd period…and that’s just a brutal example of favouring a veteran…Rozy’s first 40 minutes were NOT good, he struggled all night, and never once won a board battle. His 3rd period was beyond awful…and at this point it is very simple, if Rozy can’t be traded then we pay him not to play on the LTIR.
BTW, the best Hawk last night was once again Jeremy Morin. He was all over the ice, very gritty, physical…plus had 6 shots on goal and set up numerous chances, including Keith who should have scored. Price stole that game for the CDNs. Now, if Morin is put on the 4th line with Kruger and Smith, I have no problem with that because they are NOT a 4th line…plus playing against the opposition’s best, they will get lots of ice time which is what he needs.
The Shaw line with Steeger and Bicks is more than fine. A line playing that well and DOMINATING puck possession does not need to be changed. Leave Versteeg alone and let him play…sure, he will make the odd bizarre play, but when he’s healthy he always makes up for it…
The top 2 lines will be great, so we are really set at the forward position…its the Defence that is a mess right now thanks to BOTH Q and SB. As Wall said, Bowman should never have waited to the end like this to make a deal, although I think the Oduya foot fracture didn’t help matters. I don’t know if many of you are aware of this, but SB is NOT liked around the league by other GMs…for the most part the NHL, top to bottom, is a very small, old boys club…the same old, same old Pat Quinn drinking buddies have all been given positions of authority because they “paid” their dues. Very few of them actually have brains that function or think, but they are/were considered part of the hockey establishment. The WEIRD thing is that SB is not considered part of this group, because if one person should ever have been given a “free pass” into the NHL’s inner circle, it would be SB. But Scotty was never really liked also…he was respected for what he did on and off the ice, but he kept to himself for the most part and was envied by the Quinns/Burkes of the world. So when Stan came along with his business degree, and “forced” good ‘ole boy Dale Tallon out in Chicago, Stan was universally hated by the NHL’s old boy’s club.
Stan also has a history of getting the better of other GMs in trades, so other than his “connections” in FLA and WPG, no one in the NHL wants to help out Bowman and the perennially good Blackhawks. So Stan shouldn’t have left this situation to the end, but he did and there are always solutions. But the bottom line for the Blackhawks to win another Cup will fall on Defence and Goaltending. CC has proven throughout his career he will be as good as is his defence. Last year our team defence allowed an average of .5 more goals per game than the Cup year. This must change…you can all drool over the speed of Cumisky, the quickness of Oduya or the smoothness of TVR, but NONE OF THEM do a thing to help our biggest defensive problems…keeping our crease clear and winning D Zone puck battles. Klas Dahlbeck, Adam Clendening and Stephen Johns DO…
Tab the Ryan deal for SEVEN years at that price continues to make Hossa’s deal look brilliant as you suggested 3 years ago…plus I still feel that a healthy Bryan Bickell at $4 million is money well spent, considering what he is during the playoffs. Bowman has been a master of the contract, but the Rozy deal was and still is to me a real head scratcher…
Firefly,
‘Perhaps as part of a clever cap management plan by Stan.’ I can see the .200 from 31/49 & .894 from 86. That leaves 1.1 which would be 50% rsa of 32 caphit.
Bigsmoke,
good point/catch about only two backtobacks for first 7wks. Gives 34, 86, 31 time to get a large chunk of games in ahl (like 20 got) for the first time.
Bman,
32 can be on ahl roster, has to clear waivers and would only get .925 (.375 + league min.) of the 2.2 off caphit. Would want a team to claim him.
Wall,
its time for 32 to fake an injury or have Barks hit him.
BTW, did anyone notice how Pat Foley kept pronouncing Brandon Mashinter’s name last night? Mashitter…I think Foley probably just put 2 and 2 together…
I made my first appearance of the new season at the UC last night. Some changes there with scoreboard tweaks, fancy lights advertising stuff running around the bowl at various levels. This is a bad idea as it changes the light as it hits the ice. It is distracting to the play on the ice, although if you are dialed in on the game it becomes less noticeable. The organ sadly sounded thin and didn’t have the normal robustness. I hope they fix that at least. The exterior of the UC is now lit up with big video screens and huge illuminated Indian heads for Hawks games. That is a nice touch. Beer has happily not passed the $10 benchmark yet, although I usually have 1-2 max.
Pre-season sucks, but it lets us see what some of the younger guys can or can’t bring to the team. Mashinter is worthless. As stated by some earlier posters this guy can’t skate. We need some toughness with players that have skills. I liked what I saw from TVR on the back line. Cumiskey can skate, but I don’t think we need another small guy on the back line. Hawks need larger physical dmen that can clear in front of our keeper. Who knows where the salary cap problem ends up? SB should have got something done sooner IMO, but the fans don’t run the club.
Rozy reminds me of Zus last year. His skating is in decline. Another smart player that can’t move with the pace needed to play at NHL level. How to move his salary of course is the problem, but could he not be thrown in with one of our better players SB would be willing to move? I would rather see the Hawks get younger on the back line with bigger guys. Johns anyone?
Price was great in net for the Habs. Took really good angles and looked very sharp. PP was bad again, but it’s preseason and it is likely they have not really worked on it yet with all the different guys in and out of the lineup. KD should help PP, but we have thought for years that with the talent on this team our PP had to be better and it hasn’t been.
The Versteeg project is showing me that he is clearly quicker than last year, but is still making mental mistakes and not making simple plays. Q likes him, but I think he will be on a short leash. He was soooo bad in playoffs last year that he could only improve. I am a Steeger fan from 2010, but his talent can shine of he just lets the game come to him and then makes the plays.
Brad Richards is not a good skater any more, but he is way faster than Zus was last year. That has to be an improvement for Kane and Saad. Saad by the way looks faster and stronger than last year. He could have a huge year. A very powerful skater and hard to knock off the puck. Indeed a “litte Hoss” we have in number 20. Shaw looks ready to go and build on progress made last year.
Bring on reg season and
Lets Go Hawks!
Srbrad,
does Bowman have the same connection with Bergevin.
yep! The Hawks power play sucked again! Agree! The Hawks 5 on 5 are even and as good as anyone in the league no matter what the blog banter is, but on power play is when they will have a great season and win the cup or just fade out. Richards should be a big advantage on the power play for Hawks and we have defensemen who can literally walk or skate the puck in for the set up, still need more dedication near the GATE “front of the net” Hawks built on skaters and playmakers which is not a greta recipe for Power Play to learn how easy it really is watch Philly execution, two men low, and they cycle in front of the net. Getting shots on net and building momentum is 75% of a good power play scoring is not, Hawks need to figure this out but this is becoming a BEARS Lovey Smith blog, if they cant figure it out now, ME I’d bring up Dennis Rasmussen NOW, park him in front of the net and he was long and quick on penalty kills when he was up. Shaw has some speed when he’s not focused on bringing the hit, great to see.
I can NOT believe the negativity on this blog. As usually, Sr Brad wants to make this is own. Everyone blames Q. Stars are playing like shit. We are doomed. THIS TEAM WAS ONE CHEAP SHIT GOAL AWAY FROM BEING IN THE STANLEY CUP FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR….We are favorites for this year, but everyone here has all the answers. I can no longer read this shit anymore. Its pre season and you all are giving me an ulcer…..I am sure someone will say I’m drinking the kool aid or looking through hawks colored glasses but as a long time season ticket holder and having played junior hockey in Canada, I think I have a bit of an idea as to what’s what but obviously I don’t. Have fun you all and I hope to see Sr brad behind the bench some day…that’s if he gets out from his mom’s basement…
Not sure wtf Al is talking about, but stating that the power play sucks when they’re an O-for the preseason isn’t negativity. It’s fact.
I think this is best case scenerio going into next week. Trade Steeger for a pick(s). if we cant trade Rosy… just straight buy him out (saves just over 1M vs the cap). TT in Rockford, calling up TvR and Moose. only leaves about 350K over the cap, but at this point the idea of trading Oduya/Leddy in a some cap saving package is probably not likely until the deadline and someone will willing to pay up to get a d-man cuz they need to fill a hole. TvR and Runblad will make mistakes, but ill take those bumps if it means them growing… Rosy making mistakes just kills us…
I’d still hoping we can move Rosy in a trade (even if it means giving up a low end prospect piece), but im done expecting it to happen…
FORWARDS
Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Brandon Saad ($0.764m) / Brad Richards ($2.000m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)
Bryan Bickell ($4.000m) / Andrew Shaw ($2.000m) / Jeremy Morin ($0.800m)
Dennis Rasmussen ($0.793m) / Marcus Kruger ($1.325m) / Ben Smith ($1.500m)
Peter Regin ($0.650m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Niklas Hjalmarsson ($4.100m) / Johnny Oduya ($3.375m)
Nick Leddy ($2.700m) / Trevor Van Riemsdyk ($0.925m)
David Rundblad ($0.785m) /
GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($6.000m)
Antti Raanta ($0.750m)
Yikes Al, it’s just preseason. Come back off the ledge. Not sure what you are drinking, but it might be wise to consider changing it up.
to Tim G’s roster – no way I see the Hawks carrying Leddy, van Riemsdyk & Rundblad. At least one of those three will be in Rockford… and there’s no accounting for where Rozsival goes w/ his no-trade clause.
I had a business engagement late yesterday, missed the first half of the game entirely and caught the last half of the game on the radio on the drive home. John and Dale were commenting on how the Hawks pretty much dominated the first 40 minutes but Price stoned them. So I stayed up past my bedtime to catch the replay on Comcast and watched the first period before I dozed off – it gave me an appreciation for what I heard on the radio – the Hawks were all over the Canadians in the 1st, seems like the entire 1st period was spent in the O-zone. The 2nd and 3rd lines played well and had lots of good chances. The 1st line missed Hossa big time and the 4th line was Mashintered.
I really like what I saw from TvR. I still am skeptical that he will make the team but he is solid in all phases. Yeah, maybe he isn’t going to be able to nudge guys out of the crease but I’m not so sure that matters as much as it used to with the way the officiating has changed which almost negates the d-man’s ability to interfere with a guy who doesn’t have the puck (i.e. push him out of the way). So what ends up happening is the d-man and opponent engage in a sumo wrestle and now the goalie has two guys blocking his vision. TvR looks to be an NHL d-man in the small sample I’ve seen. My concern is can he play that well over the course of 82+ games?
Phil, great post…lots of good thoughts…nice to see you back!
Hey Mo! Yeah SB has a connection with Bergevin as well, it helps…
Mook, great point about the PP, scoring is a bonus…its main purpose is to build confidence and take back the control of the play/momentum…the Hawks PP under Q’s regime has most often backfired on us and has given Mo to the opposition. Dineen was brought in to have better communication with the younger players and help the PP. I believe he will…
Al, the Hawks have a great shot again this year…we just need to address team defence and that starts with allowing CC to see the puck! I think the banter on this sight has been very positive, fans are just considered about getting the trade done and Q’s little fantasy with Mashinter….
Tab
What I was trying to say is no team right now is in a hurry to help us get out of this pickle with the cap. If a team was going to trade with us it would have happened. Teams know what they have by now.
Hawks have to hope someone gets hurt in the next couple days or stay the course until an injury occurs in the season.
Going with 20 or 21 players will have to be the plan right now. Thankfully the schedule is in our favor.
BigSmokeJ, “The Hawks and Stan are screwed. I don’t see anyone trading with him. Why would a team do it” — because Leddy and Oduya are valuable commodities to a team looking for defensive help long-term or short-term respectively. Or, if Bowman wants to make that “splash” move (less likely), Sharp or Seabrook are “star” caliber players that could improve any team.
I don’t believe anyone would trade for Rozsival – would you if you were one of 29 GMs not Stan Bowman? I’m not sure what it takes to place a player on LTIR – don’t they have to qualify medically?
Bowman has left me shaking my head. Why he waited this long to clear cap?!? There is no way this team can start the season with TvR, Cumiesky, Rosival and Runblad as options for the 3rd pairing. What on earth is the fascination with Runblad and Cumiesky?!? We need a blueliner !
Why is Versteeg still here and clogging a roster spot that could go to something more more needed and cheaper that we have in Rockford?
Dumbfounded right now. And I put that on Bowman and not Q.
Im sure teams have made offers about both players. But I would bet they aren’t giving back anything of value otherwise a deal would have been done by now.
Sr. Brad – totally agree. Loss definitely not on Raanta at all. Those goals were on Rozy. What I meant was that Price played great. Hawks had some great chances (particularly Keith’s shot from the left faceoff circle) that on almost any other night with another goalie go in.
Did not know that about SB and the other GM’s but can definitely see that dynamic. Also does not bode well for any kind of decent trade to get under the cap. Other GM’s aren’t naive they know the spot the Hawks are in and unless Bergervin, Cheveldayoff or Tallon want to do SB a solid, or some kind of freak injury happens to another team (hi Columbus) not making a move earlier is now going to cost the player +a prospect or draft pick. It will be an interesting next few days.
What happens if a team is not cap compliant at the start of the year?
I love how many people are assuming that Bowman is desperate to move a piece right now and would take any offer. It’s just as likely there are a half a dozen teams making offers and he’s waiting it out to get the best one.
As Aaron Rodgers would say, R E L A X.
And as far as Al goes, I don’t think it’s as much negativity on this blog as it is us being critical of the team. Compeltely different. We are all very hopeful for the Hawks and will cheer for them regardless, we just want to communicate what we would like to see.
JS – good points…Bowman is desperate – NOT!, “R E L A X.”, and “being critical of the team…all very hopeful for the Hawks and will cheer for them regardless”.
I don’t believe it’s about Bergervin, Cheveldayoff or Tallon doing SB a solid as much as it is GMs doing their job – making moves to improve their team. We’ll see…
What I found a little messed up last night was Emelin playing a such a physical game in a contest that clearly did not have that kind of tone from the other players. Taking liberties in pre-season games seems to go against the unwritten players code of conduct on the ice. Just my 2 cents.
DD, there is no way ANY GM would do another team a favour…their job is accountable at every level. But there is a reason why most of all Hawk deals have gone through those 2 GMs…and while JS is reminding everyone not to panic, a good point, the reality is that he has a week to get it done, and every GM in the league is aware of it…it is NOT a seller’s market…as Wall and others have pointed out, we would have got more in return had this deal been done at the draft…
ER…. welcome aboard the TvR train!!!!! Choo-Chooooo!!!!
Morrison- thx fro the chuckle… I needed it!!!
Tab- Hawks PP … zero for everything!!! you know the saying “it’s never as bad as it looks”??? well in this case the PP (Zero for everything) minimizes how bad it has looked… can someone give me the shots on goal on PP… I bet they are averaging less than a shot per!!! that IS SCARY bad if TRUE!!!
Yes- RasMOOSEn over Mashitter –all day!!!! PLEASE!!!
Wall “the reality is that he has a week to get it done, and every GM in the league is aware of it” may be true, however I believe the clock is ticking for everyone not just SB. If a GM has a general need or likes a player that SB may have offered up, do you take a chance at this point that someone else is not going to beat you to the punch. Would you take that chance and lose an opportunity of signing an asset for your team because you may not be in Love with SB? I wouldn’t…. So I say tick, tick, tick ….ante up boys.
Sr. Brad, “there is no way ANY GM would do another team a favour” – yes, that was pretty much my point (slightly tempered by taking into consideration the suggestion that an “old boys”, “drinking buddies”, cronyism might exist/be a factor)…the GMs job is build/maintain/improve their team. Although it might seem Garth Snow did the Hawks a favor giving them Regin – too bad the coach didn’t play him very much.
I have no idea what’s behind the timing of this, but Bowman hasn’t made many mistakes so far – seller’s market or not, I believe he will get it done.