On the Wild front:
Cooke out tonight. Maybe for the rest of the season. Missed 22 games earlier this year with a hip flexor but has a LB injury which is different. Played 27 games so far this season with 4 goals and 4 assts.
Assume Backstrom to start.
On the Hawks front:
Carcillo is now eligible as his suspension expires. Probably not playing today. Did not practice on top 4 lines this morning.
Crawford to start in goal.
Starting lines based on practice:
20-19-81
10-91-88
29-65-86
42-16-28
Versteeg still skating in Chicago. van Riemsdyk joined him for a light skate today.
Looking ahead to the Sunday matinee:
Shatenkirk scheduled for abdominal surgery within 9 days. Will likely be out a few weeks if not the season. He has 40 points in 49 games with the Blues this year.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Saturday, January 31, 2015
That was ducky
What a fun game to watch yesterday. Even better is the fact that the Hawks won with "relative" ease. I don't want to downplay the skill and play of the Ducks last night but the Hawks really took it to them for most of the game. Great game from Sharp and Kane. Kruger and Saad also had REALLY strong games, but unfortunately got nothing to show for their effort. It will come.
The Hawks will need to solve the Ducks penalty kill at some point. What the Ducks did differently to defend the Hawks was to come out of the box to block passing lanes around the perimeter. The Hawks kept trying to push the puck around the edge, had it picked off and cleared. The solution lies in moving an extra man to the middle when on of the Ducks move out of the box. A deek and a pass to the middle would have caught them off guard. Unfortunately the Hawks made no adjustments on the perimeter play last night.
I am still not happy with the defensive pairings, I was hoping that would change. Don't look for Forsling (you should have heard about the trade for Clendening) to bring any relief to the defense. He is an 18 year old and not likely to see the US until next year and maybe 2017 to see the NHL ice surface. My defensive pairing would be Seabrook/Keith, Hammer/Oduya and Rundblad/Erixon. As I noted, I'm not a big fan of Rozsival.
Do you know the way to San Jose?
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The Hawks will need to solve the Ducks penalty kill at some point. What the Ducks did differently to defend the Hawks was to come out of the box to block passing lanes around the perimeter. The Hawks kept trying to push the puck around the edge, had it picked off and cleared. The solution lies in moving an extra man to the middle when on of the Ducks move out of the box. A deek and a pass to the middle would have caught them off guard. Unfortunately the Hawks made no adjustments on the perimeter play last night.
I am still not happy with the defensive pairings, I was hoping that would change. Don't look for Forsling (you should have heard about the trade for Clendening) to bring any relief to the defense. He is an 18 year old and not likely to see the US until next year and maybe 2017 to see the NHL ice surface. My defensive pairing would be Seabrook/Keith, Hammer/Oduya and Rundblad/Erixon. As I noted, I'm not a big fan of Rozsival.
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Thursday, January 29, 2015
D-day for the Hawks and a quick Jeremy update
What I forgot to write last night, since I was tired and frustrated.
It is about time we figure out the defense situation. While TVR will eventually fix this problem, we need a better solution than splitting up the pairs that work well together. In other words, we need a third pairing that we can trust to put on the ice and give the top two pairs a bit of rest during the games. I am not a big fan of Rozsival and I really don't think we will see him back next season with his contract expiring. Rundblad seems to be doing well and there are a lot of defensemen in the Hawks systems that we could pull up while waiting for Vans Riemsdyk. I really think Q needs to get his top two D squads together again to help this team. Maybe he is planning that as Keith and Seabrook have taken the day off from practice.
On the Jeremy Morin front, He was taken to the hospital my ambulance during the second period of their game on Tuesday due to an elevated heart rate that would not go down. He is not the first, and probably not the last, to have this happen and is being released today. He should be right back into the line up. Note that Jeremy has 17 games in Columbus with 1 goal and 2 assists. He has been playing about 10 minute per game on average.
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It is about time we figure out the defense situation. While TVR will eventually fix this problem, we need a better solution than splitting up the pairs that work well together. In other words, we need a third pairing that we can trust to put on the ice and give the top two pairs a bit of rest during the games. I am not a big fan of Rozsival and I really don't think we will see him back next season with his contract expiring. Rundblad seems to be doing well and there are a lot of defensemen in the Hawks systems that we could pull up while waiting for Vans Riemsdyk. I really think Q needs to get his top two D squads together again to help this team. Maybe he is planning that as Keith and Seabrook have taken the day off from practice.
On the Jeremy Morin front, He was taken to the hospital my ambulance during the second period of their game on Tuesday due to an elevated heart rate that would not go down. He is not the first, and probably not the last, to have this happen and is being released today. He should be right back into the line up. Note that Jeremy has 17 games in Columbus with 1 goal and 2 assists. He has been playing about 10 minute per game on average.
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Wednesday, January 28, 2015
They're back
Well, we were about 1 hour short of having 7 days between Blackhawks games. The allstar game was more like Disney on ice than a hockey game. I couldn't watch the entire spectacle with all the stars floating around the ice while the goalies did little more than stand in position.
So, on to the Kings game.
Rundblad gets the assist on that first goal. So he now has 3 points in the three games since he returned to his natural right defense position.
Teravainen demonstrated some of that skill I mentioned in my last blog on the third period goal by Shaw. A neat little pass while being harassed by two Kings.
Unfortunately a mediocre second period and a couple bad plays in the third cost the Hawks the game.
Also reported what that Versteeg is skating again. Still not expected to join the team on the road.
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So, on to the Kings game.
Rundblad gets the assist on that first goal. So he now has 3 points in the three games since he returned to his natural right defense position.
Teravainen demonstrated some of that skill I mentioned in my last blog on the third period goal by Shaw. A neat little pass while being harassed by two Kings.
Unfortunately a mediocre second period and a couple bad plays in the third cost the Hawks the game.
Also reported what that Versteeg is skating again. Still not expected to join the team on the road.
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The Dog Days Are Over (or "I'm just here so I won't get fined)
It's been a while since my last blog. Christmas, the new year, Cancun and the All Star break all created the dog days of the season. There were hot and cold streaks for teams and players, but overall not too much motion up and down in the league. Now that the hockey ice capades (aka the All Star game) are over we can get back to the business of "One Goal." Speaking of the all stars, Nikita Gusev did what no NLHer could really pull off during the shootout competition. Check out the video of this 2012 Tampa Bay pick during the KHL All Star Shootout. Sick. (Wait for the commercial to finish, its worth it.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJtOzWMjP9o
So let me catch up a bit with a few observations. First, I have been asked to give my thoughts on Carcillo. When I first saw the play I did not think too much about it. It did not appear that he put a lot of effort into the cross-check. I was quite surprised to that Mathieu Perreaulthad left the ice and missed a couple of games. But the replays reveled the force that Danny exerted in that hit. Being an ex-offender it is no surprise that he gets the suspension and, yes, I believe he deserved that suspension. But I still love Danny's tenacity and enthusiasm for the game. I think he will do a lot for us in the playoffs if he keeps himself on the ice.
Tuevo-mania has arrive! See my report from November 23rd when I was scouting the hogs. http://blackhawksinsights.blogspot.com/2014/11/scouting-icehog.html
In that game TT had a log way to go. I planned to see how he was developing when I attended a game on Jan 3 but by that time the Versteeg injury led to Tuevo being called up to the big league. I was amazed on how different he looked from 6 weeks earlier. He really came a long way. He still has a ways to go to be a star in the NHL but he most definitely has the skill. I was able to see him practice one day over at Johnny's west. He has some incredible puck control and blind passing ability. He needs to get over his fear of getting smeared against the boards to show these skills more predominantly with the Hawks. It was that practice that showed me what he can do and why Bowman picked him in the first round.
Speaking on that Jan 3 game, the Wolves used that game to celebrate Brent Sopel's 1000th professional hockey game. And Brent still looks like a refugee from the 70s! I must admit that I once had my hair parted in the middle and sported a fu manchu. For anyone keeping track the Wolves have signed Adam Burish, Colin Fraser, Terry Broadhurst (former Hog), and Ben Eager in addition to Sopel. They also have Jake Chelios, son of Chris, in their line-up. Jake was once playing in the Hawks system down in Toledo when they were affiliated with the Blackhawks.
So, I'm BAAAAAAAAaaaaaack.
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#Blackhawks #DanCarcillo #Teravainen #Sopel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJtOzWMjP9o
So let me catch up a bit with a few observations. First, I have been asked to give my thoughts on Carcillo. When I first saw the play I did not think too much about it. It did not appear that he put a lot of effort into the cross-check. I was quite surprised to that Mathieu Perreaulthad left the ice and missed a couple of games. But the replays reveled the force that Danny exerted in that hit. Being an ex-offender it is no surprise that he gets the suspension and, yes, I believe he deserved that suspension. But I still love Danny's tenacity and enthusiasm for the game. I think he will do a lot for us in the playoffs if he keeps himself on the ice.
Tuevo-mania has arrive! See my report from November 23rd when I was scouting the hogs. http://blackhawksinsights.blogspot.com/2014/11/scouting-icehog.html
In that game TT had a log way to go. I planned to see how he was developing when I attended a game on Jan 3 but by that time the Versteeg injury led to Tuevo being called up to the big league. I was amazed on how different he looked from 6 weeks earlier. He really came a long way. He still has a ways to go to be a star in the NHL but he most definitely has the skill. I was able to see him practice one day over at Johnny's west. He has some incredible puck control and blind passing ability. He needs to get over his fear of getting smeared against the boards to show these skills more predominantly with the Hawks. It was that practice that showed me what he can do and why Bowman picked him in the first round.
Speaking on that Jan 3 game, the Wolves used that game to celebrate Brent Sopel's 1000th professional hockey game. And Brent still looks like a refugee from the 70s! I must admit that I once had my hair parted in the middle and sported a fu manchu. For anyone keeping track the Wolves have signed Adam Burish, Colin Fraser, Terry Broadhurst (former Hog), and Ben Eager in addition to Sopel. They also have Jake Chelios, son of Chris, in their line-up. Jake was once playing in the Hawks system down in Toledo when they were affiliated with the Blackhawks.
So, I'm BAAAAAAAAaaaaaack.
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#Blackhawks #DanCarcillo #Teravainen #Sopel
Sunday, December 14, 2014
As I said...
Morin is not a good match for the Blackhawks. While I have not seen ALL the details it looks like a straight up trade for D-man Tim Erixon of the Blue Jackets. While we wait for TVR to return to the line-up the Hawks have continued to look for the right 3rd defensive pair. Erixon will be the latest in the rotation.This trade will have two net effects.
First, it will add $200,000 of cap space for the Hawks to play with. Tim hits the cap this year at $600k while Morin weighed in at $800k.
Second, this will help with next years player/cap problem. Morin would have hit us at $800k again next year. Erixson has only a one year contract and either will be gone or will replace one of our higher salaried D-men that will need to be removed due to cap issues.
What I am not sure about are the terms of the contract with Erixon. But from what I can tell it is a two way contract meaning that he can be sent to the Icehogs without having to go through waivers. Again this will help Q and Stan figure out a right mix to 1) win the cup this year and 2) align a team for next season.
So, no surprise to me. We will likely get to see Jeremy when we play the Jackets this Saturday in Columbus.
P.S. Dahlbach, who has been benched when the times got tough, will go back to Rockford for the time being.
First, it will add $200,000 of cap space for the Hawks to play with. Tim hits the cap this year at $600k while Morin weighed in at $800k.
Second, this will help with next years player/cap problem. Morin would have hit us at $800k again next year. Erixson has only a one year contract and either will be gone or will replace one of our higher salaried D-men that will need to be removed due to cap issues.
What I am not sure about are the terms of the contract with Erixon. But from what I can tell it is a two way contract meaning that he can be sent to the Icehogs without having to go through waivers. Again this will help Q and Stan figure out a right mix to 1) win the cup this year and 2) align a team for next season.
So, no surprise to me. We will likely get to see Jeremy when we play the Jackets this Saturday in Columbus.
P.S. Dahlbach, who has been benched when the times got tough, will go back to Rockford for the time being.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
What's in a name? And (No?) More Morin
Would a Zemgus Girgensons smell any different with a different name? Maybe the question to ask is would a Zemgus Girgensons get as many votes with a different name? Earlier today it was reported that Latvian native Zemgus has over 800,000 votes. Compare that to the next two players, Kane and Toews, with 375,753 and 367,962 respectively. As a centerman in his rookie year last season Zemgus scored 8 goals and ended the season with 22 points. This years he is at 8 goals and 14 points to date. So how does he get so many votes? It has been reported that his country of origin is so excited that they are taking the Chicago approach of voting early and often. Latest census data shows Latvia with a population of just over 2 million people. It was estimated that the same number of people participated in the Blackhawks victory parade in 2013. Over 8 million people watch the games where Patrick Kane scored an overtime winner to clinch the Stanley cup and again when the Hawks beat Boston in 17 seconds. Assume about 4 million of those were Chicago fans. With those numbers you have to really wonder if the Latvian government has hacked into the NHL voting system. OK, that was a joke, but has someone in Latvia written a program to perform repeat voting to run the numbers up that high? Should we really allow unlimited voting for our Allstars? Is the whole idea of having the general population vote wrong? But even if we went with hockey insiders conducting the vote we have the problem with the eastern heavy population as we have seen with the NHLs individual achievement awards. What ever the case, this ridiculousness is an indication of a broken system.
Sharpie returns to the Hawks line-up tonight to take on the devils. Nortrom returns to Rockford, no surprise, as does Morin. The Hawks use a little known rule of a "conditioning assignment" to move Morin without putting him through waivers where he would likely get snatched up. Typically this is used for a player coming back from an injury. The NHL has indicated that they will not investigate this move. Bowman would be happier to trade Morin, take his salary off our cap and get a good draft pick. (My opinion) So this will buy Bowman about 14 days to find a suitor willing to add to their offense. I really think Morin could work on another team but he just does not fit in Chicago. Barring any major injuries to the Hawks offense, everyone knock on wood now, if Morin is not traded during his conditioning assignment he will be put on waivers and likely find himself in a Panthers uniform. I think Dale would like to have him in Florida.
Sharpie returns to the Hawks line-up tonight to take on the devils. Nortrom returns to Rockford, no surprise, as does Morin. The Hawks use a little known rule of a "conditioning assignment" to move Morin without putting him through waivers where he would likely get snatched up. Typically this is used for a player coming back from an injury. The NHL has indicated that they will not investigate this move. Bowman would be happier to trade Morin, take his salary off our cap and get a good draft pick. (My opinion) So this will buy Bowman about 14 days to find a suitor willing to add to their offense. I really think Morin could work on another team but he just does not fit in Chicago. Barring any major injuries to the Hawks offense, everyone knock on wood now, if Morin is not traded during his conditioning assignment he will be put on waivers and likely find himself in a Panthers uniform. I think Dale would like to have him in Florida.
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