It Begins: Thoughts After Exhibition Opener

by SamFels on Sep 20, 2009 1:06 PM CDT

With McClure at his 47th wedding of the summer, and Killion off....well, I'm not sure where he was but it was clearly more important than anything I had going on, it is left to me to sum up what I saw last night. Obviously not going to get into a full game wrap, but there are a couple points to ponder:

-Obviously, Jack Skille was the story for the Hawks. He looks bigger than he has in the past, which is a good thing, as if he's going to make this team it will have to be on the 3rd or more likely 4th line, and he'll have to do his share of dirty work. He's always had a good shot on him, but his offensive game had all the subtlety of Ben Roethlisberger courting a hotel worker (timely, no?). His goal last night while pretty to watch, wasn't exactly proof anything has changed. The Caps gave him all sorts of room. Still, hope to see more from him.

-Seabrook looked a little sluggish last night, he got beat a couple times in areas I wouldn't expect him to. Hopefully just working out the kinks.

-It's wonderful that Tomas Kopecky is filling that gap that's been open since Michal Handzus left of "Guy On The Hawks Who Skates As If He Has A Dump In His Pants." Quicker than I remember though, could be a very useful player indeed.

That's all I have for now, I'll post the lineup for tonight's game when it becomes available. Our first foray into the titanic Crawford/Niemi Donnybrook. Who ya got?

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A tweet from our former lord and saviour

martinhavlat: Yes everyone, I’m playing tonight against the Hawks…1st game as a WILD.

Chicagoan in the Lou.

by Mike Martin on Sep 20, 2009 2:31 PM CDT reply actions

"as a Wild"?

Good engrish for Marty, eh?

by AirTrafficAJ on Sep 20, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

who also

scored against us and so far has the only goal.

http://twitter.com/hawksfansince08

by hawksfansince08 on Sep 20, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Figures.

Wish I could watch it. I miss JHC.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 20, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

you can..

http://tinyurl.com/nl4ep8

sorry I should have posted this… :(

http://twitter.com/hawksfansince08

by hawksfansince08 on Sep 20, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions

FYI

our former JHC just scored again against us….what a jerk.

http://twitter.com/hawksfansince08

by hawksfansince08 on Sep 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Should I beat the rush and start he first..

“ZOMG! We shoulda kept Havlat and not signed Hossa!!!111” thread?

Chicagoan in the Lou.

by Mike Martin on Sep 20, 2009 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions

:(

Yeah, I coulda looked but actually I hate watching on the computer. And my computer sucks.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 20, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

No way. What time and what channel?

Do I have to go to the kid’s again for NHL Centerice?

Anyway, I was thinkin Petiot should be cut, but then he kinda did better 3rd period.

K, my g’s aren’t workin well (crap) and I’m not back tracking to fix them. Must clean keyboard.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 20, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions

Oh,

I thought VERSTEEG looked rather lame.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 20, 2009 3:05 PM CDT reply actions

Fine I'm a moron

I need a nap, that’s my excuse. All info is provided on Yahoo’s main page (duh), Steeg has an upper body injury and game is 6 PM EST, although I have to see what channel it’s on and wake up for it.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 20, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

didnt' get to see it

But I was at least glad to hear they didn’t get spanked 3-0 with Toews and Kane on the ice. JCH is likely to play some inspired hockey against us every time we see him, we better start getting used to it and figure out what to do about it.

by NKLHD on Sep 20, 2009 9:36 PM CDT reply actions

I hear he has problems taking big hits along the boards

Chicagoan in the Lou.

by Mike Martin on Sep 20, 2009 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

That hit

From Kornhole was not necessary, just as Phaneuf’s hit the other day wasn’t. I wouldn’t want to see any of the Hawks put that kind of hit on JHC. Talk of whether we should have traded JHC is going to happen, especially until Hossa is back on the ice. I was sad to see him go after the incredible year he had, but for the Hawks to give him the money the Wild did after a contract year was a tough call to make. Obviously, if Hossa comes back and has a sub par year, we will never hear the end of how stupid it was to let JHC go. For pretty much equal money, I think Hossa brings a lot more of what the Hawks need.

by NKLHD on Sep 21, 2009 6:16 AM CDT up reply actions

General Comment

Any JHC moaning now is lame. Zero complaints when he was cut loose and Hossa sgiend.

Didn’t see last night, but some observations from Saturday.

1. Huet played very well until he didn’t.

2. Couple encouraging hits from Barker.

3. Buff looked pretty good. Physical and won a few puck battles.

4. Some flashes from 88.

5. Sharp and Skille head and shoulders above the rest (and not just because they scored, though Skille’s was a beaut.)

6. Keith is a stud, and Campbell is still happy to shovel the puck around the boards at times to avoid a hit.

7. Of the other newbies, Dowell seemed to have the most presence, Bois seemed over his head, others…eh.

Just one game though.

by cliffkoroll on Sep 21, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Correction

…not Bois (don’t think he suited up.) It was Petoit who looked over his head.

by cliffkoroll on Sep 21, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Bois was on the ice

I know I saw both Bois and Petoit on the ice. Neither looked that impressive to me, but the guy sitting behind kept raving about Bois.

//Cheat Enabled

by BlackSheepWall1007 on Sep 21, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Bois

only seemed interested in fights.

I’d like those two to go.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Sep 21, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Congrats on making the logo change.

Huge improvement.

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Sep 21, 2009 9:25 AM CDT reply actions

Are you adding a fifth star for the Olympics?

HOCKEENIGHT.COM...home of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS and the HOCKEENIGHT PUCKCAST!!!

by Forklift14 on Sep 21, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I want Rio to get the Olympics.

Their opening ceremony would no doubt be 100x better than anything Daley and everyone else here in Chicago could put together. If Chicago does get the olympics I’m subletting my apartment for the month and going to Rio…

Second City Hockey

by Killion on Sep 21, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

You’d change your vote about that opening ceremony if they lit the Olympic Torch with Ditka’s mustache. Obviously since mustaches are involved, Q would have to help.

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Sep 21, 2009 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions

a few notes on saturday's game

Seabrook looked pretty terrible at times, including the game winning goal in overtime…….but I’m sure he’ll right the ship.

Petoit looked brutal. His decision making and positioning left alot to be desired, and he took a bad penalty.

I thought Kopecky did a nice job. He provided the screen on byfuglien’s shot which eventually found sharp’s blade for an easy goal. I noticed a Kopecky in front of the net a couple other times as well.

Second goal Huet gave up…………….just not good.

2 big things that I took from the game.

1) Sharp and Madden combo on the kill looks like it could be awesome. We all know sharp is great at finding offensive opportunities short handed, but I really think that madden is going to help facilitate these opportunities with his fundamentally sound play. Let’s hope that Q consistently puts sharpie on the kill.

2) Buff seemed like he was on the ice all game. He got plenty of even strength time, and was also on the power play and the penalty kill. It was surprising to see him out there so much, but I thought he had a solid night and displayed a sense of urgency that I didn’t think he was capable of in a preseason game.

No bolland, no hammer, no ladd, no burish. Are these guys nicked up or what?

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by Hack on Sep 21, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

Hammer, Ladd, and Burrish played in Sunday’s game. Burrish went out in the first period and never came back out. Hopefully its nothing too serious.

"The Hawks need a lube job on their offense right now."-Pat Foley

by Bell_Boy on Sep 21, 2009 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Bolland..

is defintely beat up a bit. He’s been sitting out most practices. The Hawks are saying it’s nothing major but from what I’ve heard, he has a slight history with injuries in every year but this last one so hopefully it’s not a big deal.

Second City Hockey

by Killion on Sep 21, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

also.....

As was mentioned in the comments in modnar’s post, Huet switched to white pads and is now number 39. This will obviously take some getting used to, I had khabby deja vu all game.

The back of Huet’s mask still has 38 on it, he must not have time for a paint job.

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by Hack on Sep 21, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions