Blackhawks Show No Pity, Shutout The Flames
After a tough loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night, the Blackhawks bounced back with a strong effort to shutout the Calgary Flames 2-0.
The Hawks’ powerplay continued to be a ridiculous waste, failing to score in five opportunities. Flames’ netminder Miikka Kiprusoff played extremely well in the loss, facing more than twice as many shots as his counterpart.
Thankfully, the team’s defense and a strong effort from Ray Emery made two goals good enough for the victory. Emery earned his first shutout as a member of the Blackhawks, stopping all 16 shots that reached him in the game. The skaters in front of Emery blocked 16 shots in the game as well, led by four from Niklas Hjalmarsson.
Patrick Kane assisted on Nick Leddy’s fifth and Brent Seabrook’s sixth goals of the season to lead the Hawks. He now has 41 points in 32 games, and has continued to play impactful hockey during the absence of Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.
The Blackhawks are now 10-0-1 in games in which Kane has a multi-point effort this season.
Seabrook blocked three shots and was credited with three hits in the game. Leddy blocked two shots and was credited with one hit.
Much of the league-wide attention was on Jarome Iginla, who has been the focus of trade rumors lately. He skated 16:09 in the game, winning three of five faceoffs and putting only two shots on net.
For the Hawks, Jonathan Toews was strong at the dot once again. Toews won 14 of 22 faceoffs in the game and was credited with a team-leading six shots on goal.
The struggles continued for Dave Bolland. His line at the dot was the opposite of Toews – he won only eight of 22 – and he was called for two minor penalties in the game. He now has only one point in his last six games, and hasn’t scored a goal since Feb. 15 against San Jose (13 games).
Chicago now has a couple days off until the Anaheim Ducks visit the United Center in what should be another much-anticipated battle between the top two teams in the Western Conference.
Thanks for always calling it like it is Tab…its great to get the win tonight, and tighten up defensively, but the 2 big problems for this team (PP and 2nd Line Centre) were problems again tonight…when the PP can’t even generate chances, it transfers momentum back to the opposition…thankfully Calgary wasn’t in a receiving mood tonight. Yes, we are not moving our legs enough on the PP, and yes we need someone to be strong down at the low post, but the single greatest issue is face-offs…if Tazer doesn’t win the draw, we don’t seem to get any chances…and forget anyone else winning a PP face-off…
This coincides with the 2nd problem, and that’s Dave Bolland…how was Bolland’s 3rd period tonight??? Zero shots on goal, zero takeaways, 1 giveaway, no hits, 2 lazy penalties, and 0 for 5 on face-offs, including losing 2 cleanly, deep in our zone late in the game.
This isn’t a 2nd line centre…its not a 3rd line centre either. In fact, Bolland isn’t good enough right now to have a roster spot. Is he injured? Playing through pain with his lower back? I don’t know, but he’s hurting this team and especially his lineman Patrick Kane. Kane made 2 very nice individual plays tonight to set up our goals…and on Leddy’s goal, Bolland missed the pass and a Flame deflected the puck over to Leddy. If Bowman doesn’t add someone to take this spot for the playoff run, then the Hawks might want to consider moving Kane up to Toews line with Saad, and putting Hossa to the 2nd line to better help protect against all of the lost face-offs. No offence to Kane, but his game isn’t chasing the puck all over the ice and back checking in our own zone, and he is doing way too much of that right now.
Kudos to Toews on a great game…a nice bounce back for Hammer and Oduya…Shaw looked a lot healthier and the 3rd line was much better tonight…and Mayers and Carcillo gave the Hawks decent shifts to help the 4th line play a fair amount tonight. But a special shout out to Brandon Saad. He should have been the 1st star in the game tonight. He was great at both ends of the ice…good on the PK…and making great plays with the puck…he should of had at least 2 goals tonight, but Kipp robbed him. In his rookie season, he has stepped up and is now an huge part of this team’s success!!!
Great job again Tab, It was a good effort, especially on the defensive side with great back checking and stick handling tonight. Other then a 5 min stretch in the 1st the Flames were never really in the game.
Brad I agree 100%, if Toews doesn’t take the face off they are chasing the puck more times then not. If Bolland is hurt then he needs to say something because this is becoming a major issue now. He did look better in the 1st but then he seemed to run out of gas and was no where to be found the rest of the game.
A lot of good things happened last night Saad, Hayes, Stalberg, Leddy, etc. and shows what they are capable of. But lets not kid ourselves the Flames are not a good team. They need that 2C along and another player with a little more grit to get them over the edge when Hossa and Sharp come back.
But good job all around.
As far as Bolland goes this was a hard game for me to watch. I have met him and he is an outstanding person. He is also the last of the AHL killer B line on the Hawks (Brower/Bolland /Big Buff). They were fun to watch dominate at that level.
That said, holy crap! How many more O zone time and how many more chance would Kane have if Bolland could just win 45% at the dot.
I will again say NO to Iginla. His low physical effort last night, however, indicates the Hawks are talking……why piss off future teammates. I hope it does not happen but it would not surprise me. I also think JI can be had to a contender cheaper than we are thinking as I doubt he is in the Flames future plans.
Hawks need a center. Bolland needs to be on the fourth line. Not sure how good a trade bait he is at this time. When Hossa and Sharp get back here is what I would like to see
Saad/Towes/Hossa
Sharp/?????/Kane
Stalberg/Shaw/Frolik
Bickell/Bolland/Hayes
Also Rosival deserves to be an everyday player. He is the best passer on the back end and is not afraid to push the puck in the front end.
Mike…where is Kruger in that lineup??
Mike- You want Hayes playing over Kruger? Are you drunk?
I’m actually at a point where I feel bad for Patrick Kane. His linemates suck. His center can’t win a draw and he ends up chasing the puck for nearly his entire shift. When Sharp comes back, I really hope he starts taking faceoffs. I can’t watch Bolland anymore without getting angry.
Emery looked really good last night. Probably because the defense in front of him didn’t suck… and probably because they were playing the Flames. On the other end of the ice, what a strange game from Kipper. Stopped a bunch of great shots but the ones he let in should have been his easiest saves of the night.
The third line hasn’t been the same lately. I’m hoping it’s just a Shaw-sick thing and not them coming back to earth. They have not had good games lately.
Here’s to hoping Hossa is back on Friday and they dominate the Ducks!
Bolly should never be allowed to take faceoffs when Sharp comes back, period. His point production playing next to the kid is beyond unacceptable…Kaner deserves SO much better, but I dont see anything changing personnel-wise.
Far as the 3rd line goes, I hope their dropoff lateley is due to illness running through that locker room. Misssing two of our big guns creates issues throughout the entire lineup, mixing and matching players after they have been playing well together seldom works out. Hopefully the chemistry and success all lines had will return when Hoss and Sharp are healthy.
One more thing, I have bashed Bollig for awhile, and he deserves to be mentioned as far as improving his game to the point where he is providing solid minutes and no longer the liability he was for most of the season. Carcillo, on the other hand, has been a huge dissapointment and waste of a roster spot, IMO. He has absolutely no business on a team like this.
One more thing on Bolland. The Rat, along with Carcillo and Brookbank, are the only players on the squad who are at a ‘minus’ point-wise for the season. That is some fine company Bolly is keeping right there…
It looked to me that the Flames were mentally drained from the inevitability of their leader leaving. They pushed themselves to play but the spirit lagged. Plus they’re not a very good team and especially on the road. So the Hawks had a bit of a breather last night because the opponent wasn’t breathing fire down on them with a withering forecheck … and Oduya could play easy and make plays. Expect a much different game against the Ducks on Friday.
My investment in this Iginla stuff is more than I should be spending. I’m checking rumor mills periodically through the day putting myself on an emotional roller coaster. For the most part I’ve been in favor of the Hawks acquiring Iginla, not only because I think he would improve the team, but honestly also to see Stan pull the trigger on a ballsy deal, something I’m not sure he is capable of doing. But then one of the rumors had Teravainen as one of the pieces and quickly reversed course. While the Hawks prospect pool is ranked top ten, it is more quantity of second tier player and bereft of quality top tier players. Teravainen is the only player in the pipeline with the potential to be a top line player (considering Saad to not be a prospect any longer). So when I read Teravainen may be traded to acquire Iginla … all of a sudden Iginla didn’t look like the prettiest belle at the ball. I just hope this gets done soon – however it plays out.
Boys………I love Dave Bolland as a player. The last couple of years he has been fantastic and in the playoffs two years ago, against Vancouver, he single handedly shut down the Sedin’s and ALMOST guided us to a series victory. The guy plays with guts and heart because he’s not a “gifted” player like Kaner.
But this year, watching him has become “painful” for me. Not only is he weak on face offs, he cannot shoot the puck at all. Even his passing isn’t as criap as it should be.
This all leads me to believe that Dave Bolland is playing hurt. NOT INJURED, but hurt. He must be having a lingering problem with his right hand. He cannot win face offs and he cannot get any lift on his wrist shot. My guess is that he’s not hurt enough to be placed on I.R. and not hurt enough for Q to rest him, but he’s hurt enough to NOT be effective on draws and shooting at the net from close range.
When healthy, Dave Bolland is not this bad of a player, HE HAS TO BE HURT. This guy has too much heart and desire to be this bad, without some kind of lingering injury. Maybe they are hoping that he will be able to play at 60-70% and be able to heal up, soon. I’m just not seeing it, though.
It kills me to see this guy play this bad!!
Sorry……….forgot about Kruger. Kruger can center the 4th line and put Bolland on a wing. Hayes can be the 13th forward or sent down. Still need a 2cd line center. Can Kruger fill that role?
Great comments everyone, especially BSJ, Mike and ER
Tom, I like Bolly…he’s been a good Hawk…but professional sports is always about the now…and we are in the midst of a huge run to another SC. Bolly either needs time off to heal, or he has to be demoted (4th line) because he is flat out killing this team and Patrick Kane in particular.
I mentioned this before, but with Patrick Kane playing so well right now, as is Saad, moving Kane to the 1st line with Tazer and Saad, and putting Hossa on the 2nd line with Kruger and Sharp is the sound play by Q. Keep the 3rd line as is, and put Bolly on the 4th line with Frolik and Bollig. This lineup gives the Hawks the best chance to win against teams like ANA and LA.
The bottom line is that for all the great things that Stan Bowman has done as our GM, he cuts himself (and the team) off at the knees by allowing this 2nd line centre situation to fester for the better part of 4 years. We won a Cup with Patrick Sharp as the 2nd line centre (winning 52.5% of his face-offs), and since then we are told he is NOT a centre. I won’t go through the list of players who Bowman has saddled Q with since that time, but its a motley crew to say the least.
And we can talk all we want about Sharp coming back off the IR as the 2nd line centre, or Kruger or Shaw moving up…but the bottom line is Bowman (with the best, most talented team in the league) MUST step up and make a move for a LEGITIMATE 2nd line Centre, either as a rental or for the long term…there’s really nothing else to say…Bolland is NOT the centre for Patrick Kane.
At +14 now Mike, you are right, Rozy should be playing almost every game. He and Leddy are both +14, while Brookbank is -3. Bolland, Brookbank and Carcillo are the only minus players on the team…it says a lot.
Brad, as always, you hit it outmof the park. I did point out above that Bolly, Carbomb, and Brookbank are in “rare” company together. Rozy needs to play every game going forward, without a doubt. As for a true 2C, is there really one out there who is available and also an improvement over what we have now? Understand, I ask this because I also want a move made, not because I am defending Bolly.
Its good to see the passion that is the Blackbawks. Having gone through the darks days this is something I never tbought would be possible.
As ER points out tge Hawks system is filled with a lot of C prospects but not A. That and the fact they dont have many spots open on the big club. So now is the time to make a move and get tbat 2C and package those you determine wi not make it to the big club.
But the more I think about it I dont think Stan has the stones to make a move. I hope I’m wrong.
Tom- I agree 36 is a lot better than he is playing… Hurt???
Rosey- is great… but keep him healthy for playoffs… keep platooning- ok
Love Kruger- but he is not good enough for 2nd line…
Lastly, DO NOT Include TT in any Trades!!!
PP- Power forward/Center- is a must for CUP!!! If Jason Arnott is faster than Bruno- I will even take Him!
Good game against a bad Flame’s team. Brandon Saad and Leddy continue to impress!
It’s clear that David Bolland has assumed the position of whipping boy on this Hawks website and it has been very valid. I am crossing my fingers that come playoffs this guy will elevate his game. So I was checking his stats to verify career numbers. Not to bore everyone but Bolland is a .51 point per game career player(meaning he shows up on the score sheet every other night). This year he is playing at .46 pt/g, below his average. His playoff numbers change significantly to .75 career playoff pt/g. Which means in the playoffs the guy is a top 6 talent. His entire game this season has been bad. Bad at the dot, bad penalty, bad turn overs, but I feel like he is playing out of position which is why his game has been so poor. He just isn’t a 2nd line center.
Also as for Iggy, I know its 1 game, but he looked slow and bad and wasn’t very noticeable. As I said before give me Matt Stajan instead and toss in Steve Ott too please! Go Hawks!
Hey Bigsmoke………what’s wrong? Do you miss the days of Mike Smith and Alpo Suhonnen.??? LMAO, LOL, HAHAHAHAHA. I’ll never forget in an interview with Mike North, Mike Smith said, “in 10 years the NHL will be 95% european players”. Thank God that knucklehead is gone!!
We lived through some BAD years. Let’s enjoy the ride!!!
Looking for some Iggy rumors here is a good one I found
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/spector-on-iginla-time-to-part-ways-with-calgary/
Great comments everyone. I agree with Tom about Bolland playing injured. It must be so. The guy has shown a lot of moxie over the years, and that is something that all players do not have inside them. It has been painful to watch his play though, and we NEED him to be better if we are going to go deep in playoffs. I think the brass know where the situation is at, and there will be a trade if it looks like Bolly can’t bring his play to a higher level. Sharp returning would solve some of the problems with second line center issues we are currently dealing with, but when?
Last night the Hawks buckled down and played good two way hockey. Power play remains painful to watch, but a healthy Hoss and Sharp could only help. We need to give Emory a big hug. This guy has been more than we could have expected thus far between the pipes. He and Crow have done just fine, but it takes a team effort on defense to keep shot totals down and rebounds cleared from danger. Hawks are leading the league because they have committed to team D and taking care of their end of the ice. If we they stay with the program even the big physical teams will have trouble beating us in a long playoff series.
My God, when Kane has the puck he just looks flat out dangerous to score or set something up for line mates. He has enormous confidence right now and he keeps doing stuff almost no other players can even dream of almost every night. He has developed into an elite world class player, that can only get better. He and the Capt are special. What a draft that was!
Ducks will be a good measuring stick Friday. Has the makings of being a very exciting playoff type hockey game. Looking forward to being there.
Great points. I think Bolland has been in a slow burn the last couple of years, and hasn’t justified his salary, especially at the dot. I keep looking at the UFAs and tradeable players on the non-playoff teams, but I don’t see many upgrades available at 2C. Roy and Ribeiro seem to be the biggest names, but they don’t win draws over 46% either, Ribeiro is especially Bolland-like in this regard.
Without a trade, I would like to see some changes made to the PP units. I would move Bickell to Shaw’s spot on PP1. He took that spot in the 3rd period last night and just stood in the crease. It was great to see a goaltender have to stand up an try to see around a body in the crease, it really bothered Kipper. Shaw has good hands around the net, but not a big body. Secondly, I would take Bolland off the PP2, he is worthless there right now. Put Kruger back there, he looked ok when Bolland was out. Lastly, with Sharp off the point on PP2, why not put Oduya there instead of Rosey? Oduya is more offensive minded, has a better shot, and seems to hold the blueline better. Just my 2 cents, which is about all it is worth.
Go Hawks.
I said it yesterday and will say it again…John Mitchell from Colorado is available and a great fit for our 2nd line…in 2 games against us, he has been one of the best Colorado players, with his speed giving our D fits…he is a career 52.3% face-off guy…he is great in the shoot out, and with his speed he can play with Kaner…Mitchell may not be a “sexy” name, but he’s the right fit here…he does not have a lot of miles on his body (6’1″ 210) and can be on our roster, affordably for the next 5 years…and if one of our prospects ever steps up to take the 2nd line role (realistically 2 years away), he can play wing. Plus he wouldn’t cost us much, unlike Iginla. Mitchell also likes to take the body as well.
Playing mostly on the 3rd and now 4th line in Colorado, he has 9 goals and 7 assists this season…where would that put him amongst our centres? Oh yeah, he’s also +7 on the year.
Brad you convinced me to look up John Mitchell because I honestly don’t know much about him. I’m just not sure he is a huge up grade over Bolland. He is a career minor leaguer he has 71 career pts in 222 games, playing exclusively on the 3rd and 4th line. He also has 18 career playoff games on a loaded Rangers team and had 1 assist. He also has a 1.1 million dollar salary for this year and next year. He just doesn’t sound like the missing piece to a championship team in my opinion.
I don’t get to see alot of games because of asinine blackouts(even 150 miles from UC!) so I just want to thank Tab and everyone here for their takes on the games. Very informative, and I look forward to reading them. Lucky enough to have tix for Friday night, can’t wait!
what about trading kane while his stock is so high?
you, sir, are an idiot…
Adam, even if the Hawks wanted to trade Kane, they can not at the moment. His popularity to the fan base is undeniable. Also, the Hawks have a pretty bad record when it comes to trading (or losing) it’s star / popular players.
SSHM, great article about Iginla. Goes to my point that he is not in the Flames future plans and may be had cheaper than we think…….I still don’t want him unless it is for class B prospects or draft picks. I will also answer the question, who would you build a team around? I love Toews, he may well turn out to be the best Hawk of all time. But I would take Crosby for that role.
Thanks Mike. I thought it was interesting that Uncle Feaster was the one calling Stan about Iggy and not the other way around. I just have a feeling that was a funny conversation, this is how I picture it,
SB-Hello
JF-Hi Stan this is Jay Feaster
SB-Who?
JF-Jay Feaster I am NHL GM, I have an aging superstar that wants to play on your team, Jarome Iginla do you want to make a trade?
SB-Who do you have in mind?
JF-Brandon Saad
SB-
Brad, out of curiousity, why do you think the Avs would be willing to trade Mitchell? Given his friendly cap number and the years left on his contract, I would think they would be interested in keeping him around, thereby inflating his value.
The rumor that Clowe might be a target for the Hawks if they don’t get Iginla leaves me cold. I just don’t think he would be a good fit for the Hawks because he is slow and his success has been the fortune to have his stick blade on the ice for Joe Thornton to execute a bank shot for a goal. While he does provide size and toughness, I think there are many better options to spend assets on. Iginla’s old but he can still skate. Clowe never could skate – at least not skate well enough to mesh with the Hawks speed game.
Iginla: 7,000,000 cap Hit and Hawks have roughly 3,759,872 in cap space. You would either have to move Bolland (this years scape goat) at $3,375,000, or move multiple players to free up enough space. Next season the hawks have roughly $5,189,038 to fill 7 roster spots. It could make sense to dump players/player now, and get a little something for them, and pick up iginla for a cup run. But then again, do you really want to mess with chemistry? In my opinion Bowman has to resign Leddy and Kruger.
If you were to trade Kane you could get a lot of draft picks
Iginla is going to Boston.
Adam, why would you trade Kane?
Yep word is Boston is going all out to get Iginla. Old Uncle Feaster looks to be getting what he wanted. 1 high prospect, 1 mid and a #1 pick. I wouldn’t pay that and I’m glad Stan isn’t either.
Stan should now call up Buffalo, Washington and Dallas and see who wants to trade.
Adam are you a Canucks fan? Because that is one of the stupidest things I’ve read.
For the right deal, likely a prospect, Colorado would deal Mitchell as it doesn’t leave them short…they currently have 3 top notch centres on their roster. A team that is in last place doesn’t have the luxury of sitting on a wealth of talent in one area…if Chicago gave COL one of our A- prospects in Rockford (ready to play) COL would make the deal…how does COL pass on, say, Dylan Olsen?
SSHM, if you want to know what Mitchell is playing like right now, just go back and watch our 2 games against COL…he gave us fits in both games. I think he’s a player ready to break out into a bigger role…he has a lot of hockey left in him and he’s inexpensive.
Bottom line, this team can’t afford to stand pat at Centre and think they are going to win another Cup this season. But if Bowman does bow out again, Kane should move up to the first line with Tazer and Saad, and get him away from Bolland.
Well, we lost out in the Iginla trade sweepstakes (yet again). Matt Bartkowski and Alex Khokhlachev have been scratched from their respective lineups tonight, as has Jerome Iginla versus COL. So Boston steps up to the plate and gets Iginla. Matt Bartkowski was obtained by Boston in a trade with Florida back in 2o1o…he was a 7th round pick of the Panthers. He is 6’1″ 195 and has played well in the AHL…he is about the same value as Dylan Olsen who was our former first round pick. Khokhlachev is a talented, speedy F/C but is SMALL…5’9″ 175, recently signed to a pro contract in the AHL. He has no points and is a -2 in 2 games in Providence. Word is Boston also gave up their first round pick in the upcoming draft…Boston is disputing this, saying its a 2nd round pick…details to follow…
But looking at this, how did Stan Bowman lose out on this deal? If Calgary would have settled for Dylan Olsen, Brandon Pirri and our first rounder this year, how do we walk away from that being the favourites to win another SC this season?
Iginla is NOT what he once was, but he is exactly what this team needed to compete in the playoffs, including a LEADER on and off the ice. IMO, and it is only my opinion, Bowman is seriously handicapped as a GM, either by himself, or the organization, because other than fire selling our talent after the Cup, he simply hasn’t been able to make trades…Oduya’s trade was with our former Asst. GM and they took our 2nd and 3rd rounds picks in return. Frolik was with Dale Tallon and that was for driftwood that Tallon drafted…
Without all the details, we just don’t know as of yet, but I think Bowman may have slipped up here.
BigSmoke- you clearly aren’t very savvy. This ain’t yahoo fantasy league. Everybody wanted to trade kaner when he was gettin drunk in madison. Now his value goes up and you all sing a different tune. BUY low- Sell HIGH!
It’s time to start restocking the cupboard. You know toews isn’t gonna resign. He’ll become a free agent and go home to winnipeg. Just like suter and parise did.
AdamRrr: I totally agree with trading kane… just a matter of time before he starts boozing again and his sub-par play returns. Trade him while his stock is high… I would also go the extra mile as to trade toews and get 2 premium draft picks and prospects for him. If the hawks wait until kane and toews become UFA, they are both going to leave chicago.
Brad If these are the players going over I’m speechless.I’m hoping there is more to this trade then what has been reported so far. If not I don’t get what Stan or the top as you alleviated are doing.
@Brian – re: Iginla’s $7M salary and the Hawks’ $3.7M cap space – that’s not the way the salary cap works. The Hawks have more than enough cap space to cover Iginla’s salary – or to be more specific – to cover the amount remainder of Iginla’s salary.
In a nutshell: a player’s yearly salary cap hit is divided by the number of days in the regular season to arrive at the player’s daily salary cap hit. Then for each day that player is on the active roster his daily salary cap hit is subtracted from the team’s salary cap hit. In the case of a normal season, the number of days in the “regular season” (does not include playoffs) is around 185 days or thereabouts. In the case of this shortened season, I think the number of days is around 100 days. Therefore each player on the active roster this season has 1/100th of his annual salary cap hit subtracted from the team’s salary cap for each day he is on the active roster.
A team’s salary cap space is figured out be assuming each of he 22/23 players on the active roster to start the season will be on the active roster for each day of the regular season.
In the case of Iginla, his $7,000,000 salary cap hit divided by the number of days in this season (100) means his daily salary cap hit is $70,000. Therefore if a team acquires Iginla and Iginla is on that team’s active roster for the last 30 days of the season – Iginla’s salary you use $2,100,000 of that teams salary cap ($70,000 x 30)
AdamRrr – ha, ha, ha, ha. Only if Toews is a throw-in….
Sr. Brad – John Mitchell is not the solution to the #2 center problem.
Wall – Jason Arnott…NO. (Maybe several years ago…?)
SSHawkMan – appreciate all that Bolland has done, but this season he sucks. It seems like he’s playing hurt, and out of “loyalty” they keep playing him . I too hope he can bounce-back/elevate his game.
BigSmokeJ – on Iginla/the price – I totally agree. (I wish him well in Boston…)
AdamRrr & Charles B – trading Kane (“just a matter of time before he starts boozing again and his sub-par play returns”)…I apologize, but you’re ignorant. (Unless this is a comedy routine…)
Iginla to Boston, Hawks failed on key guy for cup run. Shame Bowman has not got a pair…..
Iginla went to the Penguins, not Boston….
EbonyRaptor……….did you use a calculator, or did you take off your shoes and use your toes……..LOL. EXCELLENT use of math to explain the salary cap!! I’m confused, yet “enlightened”!! That was really a good explanation. It opened my eyes, for sure.
After watching Iginla play the Hawks, I’m not sure he would have fit in, here. He’s a step slow at this stage of his career. Of course a change of scenery can boost anyone’s play. We need a second line center and Stan is probably combing the waiver wire and looking through the men’s leagues to get one, but the right guy is not out there, right now.
Jussi Jokinen was waived by Carolina and he’s supposed to be a very good face off man. We’ll see how Stan works this. Last year, we wanted to pull up the truck and unload 3-4 players from the 3rd and 4th lines and Stan kept them and they turned out really well, this year. Let’s see how this plays out.
Correct Pittsburg not Boston, but not Chi town. Bowman better find a big tough 2nd line center somewhere. Compared to eastern teams, Hawks just not tough enough.