Morning Links - (1/11)
by JuliaM on Jan 11, 2012 10:00 AM CST
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Daily Blackhawks news and other league-wide notables.
- Recaps and reflection. [nhl.com] [Tribune] [CSN] [ESPN] [MyFoxChicago] [Cheer the Anthem] [Fifth Feather] [Hockeenight] [Third Man In]
- Ben Smith was feeling the pressure the last time he came up, thinks he'll be better now. [CSN]
- Jonathan Toews is all right after taking a puck to the head, stitches. [ESPN] [Tribune]
- Hayes at the net, Shaw on the PK, onward Minnesota, San Jose, Detroit. [CSN]
- Patrick Sharp's injury will be quite the test for the Blackhawks. [MyFoxChicago]
- Verdi on Bob Johnson and the 1992 Cup Finals. [nhl.com]
- Finding a great goalie should be a top priority? [Globe&Mail]
- Pierre and Ferraro on what goes on between the benches, what I know you've been waiting for your entire life. [Globe&Mail]
- Friedman's latest 30 Thoughts tackles the CBA, realignment. [CBC]
- Is Shooting Percentage predictive? [Driving Play]
- Pancake back injuries are no laughing matter, you guys. [The Score]
- Ron Caron passes away at 82. [SI.com]
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Comments
Call me a curmudgeon but...
Anyone else not care for the new Y! blogs layout? I read PD and BLS. It’s really irritating.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 10:35 AM CST reply actions
eh
doesn’t really bother me… at least they’ve started jumping to the jump again.. that packed it in for a while
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
hockey hugs!!! my day is now complete
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
The new format over there sucks.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
what you said
Why Q, why?!
"Watching a shootout is like admitting you watch Survivor or search the internet for porn."
The layout
is horrible. Pics run into the column on the right. My kid does better work in computer tech in HS.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
by Timothy Fisher on Jan 11, 2012 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
I very nearly crapped my pants when Cap'n Serious went back to the locker room...
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
1992
First time experiencing the agony of defeat. Luckily I was only 7 and forgot all about it 15 mins later.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
69 Cubs and 71 Hawks so thoroughly crushed my soul that I was able to become a lawyer
Fighting stupidity since 1958 (its a much bigger project than originally envisioned).
Confusion will be my epitaph.
It needs more cowbell.
by krome on Jan 11, 2012 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
92 was easier than 71
In 92 it was fairly expected. 71 was a shock.
by stanfordron on Jan 11, 2012 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
so, here's the WC this morning
I think the words we’re looking for are “insanely” and “Competitve”.. is that four out of five Central teams in the playoff picture.. why, yes.
God help my liver for the second half.
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
The team in the 8 spot still makes me nervous
Very, very nervous. They’re like the Predators of years past but they actually have the ability to break out and score.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
Disagree
They’ve got great goaltending, but they don’t have the personnel on defense or the systematic magic of Barry Trotz.
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
They have some cap room to improve that situation.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
agreed
and as everyone down to Calgary is still interested, I think we’ll see some trade action soon
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
Is Barry Trotz on the trading block?
or will the Preds signal that he’s their guy for the long haul by finally making a trade to get him that much-needed neck?
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
his neck was surgically removed
to provide a better support base for his prodigious and weighty hockey mind
Fighting stupidity since 1958 (its a much bigger project than originally envisioned).
Confusion will be my epitaph.
It needs more cowbell.
by krome on Jan 11, 2012 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of the Preds
How the hell have they given up 115 goals this year?
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
crazy no..
I think it’s interesting to look at the L10 streaks.. SJS,LAK and The Avs to be specific. It looks like the Sha-arks are starting to come good (and all those games in hand)
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Wow, the next 3 games for the Hawks are going to be huge.
Were bunched up with all of them.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
yeah, it was looking ahead
that made me post this… tough few games ahead of the Long March
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
We need to take 8 of 12 points from StL this year
Those are the big games I want.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed. I think we can.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
That and to shut those idiots up
at SLGT up. The uncreative 3rd period trolling during the SCUM game was highly irritating.
"Make the bastard chase you, he will follow."
by RaoulDuke27 on Jan 11, 2012 11:08 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
Like Kills said
That was a rare troll sighting. We don’t see many Blues trolls around these parts. Think of it like the elusive bigfoot.
SCH moderator (may the force be with me) and tweets @tivogoddess
just twice as ugly.
and hairy.
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
Just as dumb.
"Make the bastard chase you, he will follow."
by RaoulDuke27 on Jan 11, 2012 4:57 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
My favorite troll ever
was the SLGT troll that came by one game as the Blues were up in the third period (by maybe even two goals), taunting us “bandwagoners” that this is how “ice hockey” is played.
The Blues promptly lost that game and good was restored in the world.
There are some who call me........Tim?
Tremendously tremendous! Beautius J. Beautius!
Fuck Radim Vrbata.
by allyouyounghockeyplayersoutthere on Jan 11, 2012 11:54 AM CST up reply actions
This month is kind of huge
As the month of Feb is one long road trip
If you must scream to get noticed, maybe you should whisper instead
by Z-man24 on Jan 11, 2012 12:06 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
The ROW stat could make things interesting down the road
Both in terms of the Central:
-STL and SCUM both have 25 ROW (4 more than us)
-NSH has one less ROW than us with 20
and the WC:
-COL has no games in hand and only 16 ROW to their name b/c of all those shootout wins, despite coming on strong lately
-DAL has 21 ROW plus a few games in hand sitting in 9th
Goalie stuff....
a) That “finding a great goalie should be top priority” piece from the Toronto paper was remarkably stupid even by sportswriter standards. Helped persuade me of the opposite conclusion actually.
b) This little anecdote from Scotty Bowman about game 4 of the ’92 Finals was interesting: "….the Penguins emerged with a 3-3 tie after the first period, by which time Ed Belfour had been replaced in Chicago’s net by Dominik Hasek, who had not played for almost six weeks. "Jaromir Jagr, who went on to be a great player, was just a kid with us then," Bowman went on. "We didn’t know too much about Hasek, but Jagr did. They were both from Czechoslovakia. I remember Jagr screaming on the bench to our guys that we better get Hasek now because we don’t want him playing any more games and getting confident. Jagr said he was that good, and he was right. Hasek stopped I don’t know how many breakaways, including a couple by Mario." "
Imagine if the Hawks had had the guts that summer to trade Belfour, which would have at that moment brought them an All-Star-caliber player and more, and make Hasek the starter. In other words picture that ’91/92 Blackhawks lineup made even better up front and with the emerging Dominator in net. Sigh….
by Paul the Fossil on Jan 11, 2012 11:21 AM CST reply actions
Wasn't he supposed to go in the Lindros trade with Larmer and Steve Smith?
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
I don't remember who the other Hawks were
but it was definitely Eddie for Lindros. Smith sounds right and won’t argue with you on Larmer.
Regarding Hasek, the guy wound up winning 6 Vezina trophies (just looked it up). We traded him for Stehpane Beauregard who never suited up for the Hawks, as he was traded immediately for Christian Ruuttu. Ruuttu played a couple seasons for us before being traded for Murray Craven (damn, forgot he was even a Hawk) who also played a couple seasons with the Hawks and that’s where it ends. Craven traded for a no name and a 6th round pick and that’s who we got for future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek. Craven and Ruuttu were serviceable, but I’m thinking we didn’t get full value here.
This seems to confirm that
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/mc/comments/chicago_bizarro_hawks/
So Hasek-Roenick-Cheli and Lindros on Chicago Stadium ice. That would have been quite a show. To say we didn’t get full value would be the biggest understatement of all time.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 12:45 PM CST up reply actions
Upon Further Review
Wikipedia attributes Eric Daze coming to the Hawks due to the trade with Buffalo. There’s only so much time I can waste in a day, so I’ll let that stand, and if true, still say we still came up on the short end, but it’s a little better.
We'd need about 5 Eric Daze's to make up for it.
And look where Hasek eventually made his way to : Detroit
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Hindsight is 20/20
After the ‘91-’92 season the ‘Hawks had to choose between Ed Belfour, who had won the Calder, Vezina, and Jennings the previous season and would go on to claim the Vezina and Jennings again the next year, and Dominik Hasek, who had like 25 career NHL appearances to his credit backing up Belfour. In retrospect we know how dominant Hasek became, but given the information they had at the time that was a pretty easy choice. And yeah, it does seem like the ’Hawks got fleeced on that trade but again at the time of the trade Hasek was not the superstar he would eventually become in Buffalo, he was simply an adequate back-up with limited experience. Was it a poor job by the Blackhawk’s front office of evaluating his talent and potential? Almost certainly, yes, but given what they thought they had at the time the trade was perfectly reasonable.
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
Well, it wasn't that easy - seeing as they chose to trade the Eagle originally.
Kennan – doofus that he is – was right about that move and Wirtz was to cheap to go along with it.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
If they had ended up making that move, trading Belfour and keeping Hasek
I suspect it would have had MUCH more to do with Wirtz believing that Hasek would be far cheaper to retain than Belfour than anything else, and he nixed the deal because bringing in Lindros would negate any potential savings there
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
Was that before or after he declared no Blackhawk would make more than Chelios?
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
yes
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
Hey now, Jeff Hackett was awesome.
stay still. shut up. pay attention. adopt as signature moves.
bitches couldn't possibly know about my modal epistemology
Twitter
I remember watching Hasek in the '87 Canada Cup
His numbers weren’t great (neither was the Czech team in front of him – probably the weakest in years due to the absence of the Stastny brothers up front) but he made some larcenous saves in that tournament, particularly in the opening game against Canada. I just remember seeing that he was Hawks property in a Hockey News preview magazine and thought that we were pretty lucky (based on watching 4 or 5 games).
Overall, given his lack of N.American exposure, I can see how his talent evaluation wasn’t spot on. Especially given what they had in Belfour.
You are next.
by M7 on Jan 11, 2012 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
Patrick Roy
Supposedly the Hawks offered a package including Eddie to Montreal in 95 for Roy. If they’d have gotten him, Dollar Bill would never have kept him, but that year they’d have beaten Col and Scum and won the Cup.
by DCJintsFan on Jan 11, 2012 12:12 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
The problem with "what if" scenarios
Is that anything could happen. It isn’t proof positive that the Hawks would have been a better team.
As was once offered as advice to a congregation who constantly criticized their pastor
if you want a better pastor, pray for the one you got
Stalberg first star of last night on NHL.com
No Swagger, No Dagger
by Saskjet on Jan 11, 2012 11:25 AM CST via mobile reply actions
In honor of Rattlehead:
I was watching one of the Fenway outdoor games and noticed that Vermont had another Stalberg. I remembered that Vik went to UV, and looking him up, they are both from the same town. Gotta be Vik’s little brother, right?
It is
Vik tweets about him from time to time. Apparently he’s in contention for the Hobey Baker
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
From what I can tell, no one
I can’t find any information on any team having drafted him
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 11:57 AM CST up reply actions
Could we get Columbus to trade us Nash for Stalberg+ package.
They have to think he’s awesome. Kinda the way the Cubs would always acquire some guy that always killed them only to find out that now that he’s on the Cubs,there’s no other team he can hit .
No-can-do
I hear Rocky Wirtz has instituted a strict no-weiner-tucking policy, purported or otherwise
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:09 PM CST up reply actions
don't want Nash on my Hockey Team.
.. maybe its irrational like my non-desire for Kesler, Bieksa or Perry. But still.
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
What if he combs his hair properly and no longer kidnaps damsels into a hole in his basement? How about then, MMD?
No Swagger, No Dagger
if Jodie Foster shoots the AWT
then I might tolerate him…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
I think Nash's contract is something like $8MM/year
which means a heck of a pickle for the rest of your stars if you pick him up.
and also doesn't his contract go for another like decade?
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
based on the recent contracts handed out by that franchise
it wouldn’t surprise anyone. That contract for Wizzer might have been the worst of all of them.
Maybe they're twins?
And Vik’s brother got all four hands?
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions
Vik was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker...
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
he's from Sweden
not Arkansas
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions
Same difference
isn’t Sweeden like the Arkansas of Europe?
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:17 PM CST up reply actions
That's incorrectly assuming that
a) I’ve ever been to Arkansas, or b) I know how to spell
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
uhhh...
you’ve seen Swedish people and their level of intelligence, physical beauty and quality dental hygiene, right?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions
Home of the Blonde Bombshell
Shame I’m a sucker for redheads and brunettes.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
Then you'd love Sweden
Not as many blondes there as beer marketing departments would have you believe (Holland is the home of tall blondes). Lots of redheads in Sweden. So many in fact, that they even let me take one home with me.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
meh, details
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
to be honest
if we’re talking Parochial Outlook, fear of change and inbreeding….
well…
I live in the Arkansas of Europe…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
I guess that makes England the Louisiana of Europe then
Seeing as y’all hate the Brits.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
actually
Ridiculous sense of entitlement.
Hatred of anything different to them and belief in their own superiority.
Isolationism.
Sports teams that it’s super-easy to hate.
I dunno.. pick your State!
(incidentally, I refer to England here… we have no quarrel with our Oppressed Celtic Brothers in Scotland and Wales)
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
Sounds like the apt state analogy is Texas
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions
that's what I thought too...
“Everything Sucks Bigger In Texas” as the Onion put it…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions
Except for hockey which, according to the Onion, no one watches
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
that would be better spelt
“Boudicca” and she would have been a Celt…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:57 PM CST up reply actions
but spot on!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
I love pointing that fact out to the English
and making the case that whether they like it or not, they have quite a bit of genealogical history with those of Celtic origins. Maybe even more than the Normans, egads. Fun to watch their heads start spinning – “how the fuck does he know that?”
similar response to those of Italian/Sicilian origins
mention Hannibal and sometimes they go all wooly on you. I never understood the reactions in the first place, when you get down to it we’re all Africans in one way or the other.
Hey... Fuck Ya'll
I’m from Arkansas, and the closet family i know that married his cousin is from Detroit.
closet family?
just funning ya.. i could have picked ‘Ol Miss but that’s way to much effort to spell..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
If someone wants to dig up a link
Troy had an excellent interview with Stan on his post-game yesterday. Very straight-forward (as straight-forward as a GM can be) and very in-depth.
Actually, Troy had a interview hat trick. First he had Monty with a discussion about the instigator rule (which, not surprisingly, Troy had been harping on for the previous two hours) and then a interview with a very happy Stals before the Stan interview.
I sat this in my Toews monotone voice
Hey Kaner, Stalberg has 2 more goals than you. twice the shooting %. Bolland has the same goals as you and twice the shooting %
Hold My Stones
OT, but I read today that Real Simple Magazine (who?)
would like to make this week “Be Nice on the Internet Week”. So everyone…
Bite me!
See if you can guess what I am now.
by IndianHeadCrest on Jan 11, 2012 12:09 PM CST reply actions
go fuck yourself
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 12:09 PM CST up reply actions
and while your at it, eat a giant bowl of dicks
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
I'm afraid to click this link
but I’m going to, aren’t I?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:22 PM CST up reply actions
and now I'm sorry
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
are you sorry for clicking
or for doubting CNS?
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:24 PM CST up reply actions
that would be telling....
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
Normally I really enjoy Zona's work
But what the hell, man? How do you give the Hart to one goalie and then the Vezina to the other? I see the reasoning as “most valuable to his team” but we all know that the voters just look at the point leaders and throw a dart. Dave Bolland for Selke? Not even my inner-homer can agree with that. He’s not even the best defensive player on the team this year.
Chara, MacLean and Henrique I can get down with. The others are just patently absurd.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 12:25 PM CST reply actions
He's just trying to be different!
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
by HjammerTime on Jan 11, 2012 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
or else he was really, REALLY drunk when he wrote that
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
one look at what's happened to the Oil..
would be enough to drive you to booze..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 12:32 PM CST up reply actions
True
Remember a couple of months ago when the Oilers were one of the hottest teams in the NHL? Fast-forward to now when they’re 10 points behind Calgary, only 3 points ahead of the Anaheim Lame Ducks, and are 2-8 in their last 10. Of course 1 of those 2 came against the ‘Hawks because we for some reason absolutely suck against the Oilers, but that’s a different story all together.
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:37 PM CST up reply actions
yeah, I think they're done for this season.
or close to it. they don’t honk as bad as what’s below them but with the WC getting fierce, they’re in big trouble.
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 12:47 PM CST up reply actions
Injuries ain't helpin' them
They’re on their way back. If not for that fluke run in 2006 to the Cup Finals as an 8 seed, they’d probably already be back. That set them back a couple years.
Oiler fans still want Marc-Andre Bergeron’s head on a plate for what he did to Roloson.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
that would be
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that basically ended the series and handed the Cup to Carolina in game 1
Roloson playing off his rocker was really the only reason that 8th-seeded Edmonton made the SCF that year, without him they were fucked
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 12:55 PM CST up reply actions
And all Ladd did after Bergeron blasted him
Was go on to assist on the GWG in that game.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
both RNH and Eberle being out certain don't help for their future games this season either
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
yup
hence the “They’re Fucked” attitude..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
And Seabs as a runner up for the Norris
I love Biscuit but I don’t think he has ben among the best 3 defensemen in the league so far this year.
by LavalPhantom on Jan 11, 2012 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
so true
Zetterberg in contention for the Hart? He’s not even the MVP of his line. Dan Boyle in contention for the Norris? And this gem: “Why are Toews, Hossa and Patrick Sharp among the top 25 even strength scorers in the NHL? Two words: Dave Bolland.” !!!!!
by Code Name Duchess on Jan 11, 2012 12:58 PM CST up reply actions
two words
Marian Hossa
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Good news!
@TramyersCSN Kruger could be ready to go for the weekend but probably out tomorrow. #Blackhawks
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
YAY!
No one, not even El Capitan can surpass my love for Marian the Great, but I tell ya… Dis Kruger Guy, I like dis guy. He reminds me of dat Waddle guy for Da Bears. Scrappy, little and takes a poundin’ but keeps on tickin’.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
of course, this being a Blackhawks blog
we’re going to see the mercury-lining and worry if he’s being rushed back
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
More tweets from Tracey!
@TramyersCSN Ray Emery will start tomorrow night vs. Wild. #Blackhawks
@TramyersCSN Q very impressed w/ Shaw, Hayes. Gonna make roster decisions tough when Kruger returns. #Blackhawks
@TramyersCSN There could be surgery in Carcillo’s future. #Blackhawks
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
Love that Hayes will get retuned to Rockford because John fucking Scott occupies a spot.
Even when he isn’t playing…..fuck him.
I do stuff for CheerTheAnthem
I dunno... I'd be willing to bet that Bryan Bickell is sharting a little bit
Plus, Carcillo will hit IR which opens up a spot. Shaw and Hayes shouldn’t have to worry until Sharpie comes back.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
Fact
If Carcillo goes under the knife, he’ll be on IR and the ‘Hawks roster (minus the 3 current Rockford call-ups) will be at 21. That leaves room for both Hayes and Shaw (assuming that Smith goes back down when Kruger is activated). The ’Hawks can keep both of them up without having to make any other moves until Sharp is ready to return, at which point someone will have to go. I’ve got to imagine that if both Hayes and Shaw continue to play hard, play well, and develop that they won’t be going anywhere and instead Bickell could go down or maybe even, since Q clearly has no use for him, they waive Lepisto…
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:14 PM CST up reply actions
Sometime in September
I mentioned the possiblity of Bickell being sent down and everybody jumped all over me. Now the same comment gets nary a response. My how times have changed.
Well back in September
Bickell was coming off of a season in which he’d emerged as an integral piece of the ’Hawks 3rd line with Bolland and Frolik, a line that had been arguable the ’Hawks most consistent over the 2nd half of the season. The assumption that he would pick up where he left off along with his team-low salary / cap hit made the idea of sending Bickell anywhere patently ridiculous. Through the first half of this season he has very clearly failed to live up to these lofty expectations and the idea of shipping him out is much more palletable
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
And it remains that way
He isn’t having the best year but just given his cap hit and what he did last year I still see no reason why they would waive him rather than send shaw, hayes, or smith down or even waive one of the d men.
Well when Kruger comes back, especially if it's soon, I'm 99.5% certain Smith goes back down
After that there’s no need to clear any roster space until Sharp comes back in 3-4 weeks. Quite frankly, if they keep playing the same as they have the last several games I wouldn’t be surprised if both Hayes and Shaw stay and either Bickell or Lepisto is demoted / waived to make room for Sharp
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
I think it would be dumb to waive bickell.
Come playoff time you may need bickell or even later on in the regular season if injuries strike again. Even if shaw and hayes are outplaying him I think the blackhawks have to either waive a d man (lepisto or scott) or send down shaw or hayes.
This is a huge if anyway though. Shaw and hayes would both have to maintain a pretty good level of play over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Yeah, it would be dumb
Especially for a “soft” team to waive their leader in hits among forwards
Never mind his positive raw Corsi on the checking line with the highest QoC in the league. Or that he’s a +3 over his last 10 games – on the checking line – during a losing streak.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:19 PM CST up reply actions
I actually felt he was playing better lately as well.
I am glad you brought that up.
I don't know that being "soft" is a big issue though.
I certainly like having some physicality you can definitely win the cup without an overwhelming amount of it.
At least once in the last few games
he committed Q’s mortal sin – got caught in between as the first forechecker and the play zoomed right past him. This actually happens to him often. I don’t know that CORSI accounts for that blunder.
OMG it happened once???
Yeah, never mind. Waive the bum!
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:28 PM CST up reply actions
Once that I recall very recently.
It has been a recurring problem since Day 1 of training camp.
82 games is a long season
I’m as hard on Bickell as anyone but we’re grading him on the grind while grading Hayes/Shaw during the honeymoon phase. Apples and oranges.
I don't even care if hayes and shaw are better players than him when sharp comes back.
Why waive a guy with a .5 mil cap hit who you know can contribute to an NHL hockey team when you could just send another guy down who is not all that important himself?
He has been playing better
and until Detroit, Bickell was really the only one creating scoring chances on that line for a couple of weeks.
When Bolland gets back on the 3rd line with Bickell, things will turn around quickly. I’ll stake my Bickell defense on it. Bicks has been playing well and Bolland just came back to life. If Frolik or Shaw decides to join the fun, that line will be tough to play against.
I’d still like to see Stalberg get a shot there too. Bicks has been setting up shop behind the net quite bit with no one to feed. Stalberg has shown the desire and ability to do that. Their couple of games together those two did have a number of chances, but missed the net. (surprise)
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions
that line does make sense...
and if they get the occasional easier assignment (ie not out against the oppositions top line) magic could happen..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
Having a guy with speed like Stalberg
could force opposition top lines to play a little safer and less deep in the Hawks zone. So his defensive liabilities could theoretically be offset by that and additional scoring.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
ok, this too..
a kid that scary fast (and I presume you saw the afterburners he turned on for the ENG last night) is always going to have people second-guessing themselves..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
That is huge too.
I think Q has finally realized bolland vs the opposing teams best center is not the way to go. Have to go with toews in that situation.
Bickell has been a huge part of that problem.
First forechecker on the ice after a change has to slow down the rush so the rest of the line change can get itself set up and maybe get a second and third forechecker into position. Bickell has been woefully inadequate at that task. It involves split-second decision making. Meanwhile I think Bicks would have a hard time cracking 85 on an IQ test.
I lovd stalberg on that line
It’s a shame Q barely stuck with it but I really liked it.
Isn't Carcillo their forward hit leader?
by Katherine215 on Jan 11, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
I have no clue.
It doesn’t really matter though.
if carcillo is the forward hit leader then the defense of Bickell as the being the hitting leader on a soft team is starting on a faulty premise
I don’t think he’ll be traded or sent down. I think he’s picked up his game quite a bit, and obviously he and Stalberg had those great chances.
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
I think my defense is that there is no reason to send him down.
I personally don’t think it matters all that much if he is leading the team. It would be foolish to waive a guy like him with his cap hit because they don’t want to send shaw or hayes down.
i was really responding to ktg who was responding to cns and then you saying that fact doesn't really matter
as long as he keeps this pace i don’t think we need to send him down. if he slows down again, whatever the cap hit, i’m fine with it.
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
But it is not about now.
Unless he really sucks it up for a long stretch I see no reason to send down a guy who could be a help to you down the road and possibly in the playoffs.
Shaw and hayes you can call up later on or in the playoffs, bickell would likely be picked up off of waivers.
i'm not talking about now either, i think he's playing fine
if he craps out for an extended time, then again i have no problem with it. no telling how bickell will or won’t do when the time comes, and maybe we’ll pick someone up where we wouldn’t need him anyway.
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
It would have to be a pretty extended time.
Given his history and the way he has played in the playoffs I think it would take an awful lot for the hawks to waive him.
Honestly, it's probably a moot point anyways
Sharp’s out for a month and the trade deadline comes up shortly after he comes back. If the ‘Hawks roster number remains unchanged, then sure they’ll send either Hayes or Shaw back to Rockford until after the trade deadline, after which I’m fairly certain that there is no longer a 23-man maximum and the only thing that limits your roster size is salary cap space meaning the ’Hawks could bring back up whomever they want.
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
I thought that didn't happen until the playoffs.
I am not at all certain though so you are probably correct.
I think it happens at the trade deadline
I’m gonna read through the CBA and see if I can find it…
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
Found it!
Article 16.4 Active Roster Size; Playing Roster
(a) For the 2005/06 League Year and thereafter, there shall be a maximum of twenty-three (23) players on each Club’s Active Roster at any one time, provided, however, that, on the date of each season’s Trade Deadline, a Club’s Active Roster may be increased to any number of Players the Club, in its discretion, so determines, subject to Article 50 hereof
As one would expect, Article 50 is the section having to do with the salary cap. And for the record, the massive over-use of commas and the seemingly inappropriate use of capital letters is how it was written in the CBA, I just copied it verbatim (I had to type it, for some reason the pdf that I downloaded from the NHLPA website wouldn’t let me copy highlighted text)
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:28 PM CST up reply actions
Apparently you do not know
lawyers get paid by the comma.
coming from a family of lawyers
That’s probably something I should know. I guess they kept me in the dark about a few things because I refused to go to law school on the premise of fuck that shit
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
knew I liked you, Frank!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, that was all I was saying with regard to the stats.
It’s only a difference of 5 hits anyway.
I haven’t had much of an opinion on Bickell either way lately, but I would be surprised if he were sent down. I’m not sure he’s still waiver exempt either so sending him down might run the risk of losing him.
by Katherine215 on Jan 11, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
He's not waiver exempt
I looked that up in the CBA earlier. He’s 25 and he played in the NHL last season, so he’s not waiver exempt
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
So he was exempt from waivers last year then?
I thought he was just under a 1 way contract with the hawks where he had to go through waivers to be sent down but not to be called up.
No actually, I don't believe he was
according to the CBA, you become subject to waivers once you’ve either played 160 NHL games, or if you don’t play professionally until you’re 20 (in this case, “professionally” includes playing in the AHL while under contract with an NHL team, i.e. a ‘Hawks prospect in Rockford) you’re waiver exempt for your first 4 seasons. Bickell made his professional debut in 2006-‘07 (48 games with the Norfolk Admirals, 3 games with the ’Hawks) so he was waiver exempt through the 2009-’10 season and subject to waivers as of last year. It’s kinda messy and complicated differentiating between how the rules apply to 18 year olds, 19 year olds, 20 year olds, etc. but the point is that Bickell was subject to waiver requirements as of last season
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
I think 1 or 2 way contracts
refer to pay and don’t have anything to do with waivers. A 1 way means you get your NHL salary no matter where you are, and a 2 way means you have an NHL salary and an AHL salary and are paid depending on where you are.
Frank or someone can confirm/deny though.
by Katherine215 on Jan 11, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
You are correct
Whether or not a player is waiver exempt depends solely on age and experience, 1-way vs 2-way contracts refer to whether a player gets his full salary or a reduced rate if he’s sent to the minors
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions
I didn't mean to be a dick.
I was honestly just trying to get you into the conversation. I know your comment wasn’t really even directed towards me too.
Me?
I didn’t think you were a dick. I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other about Bick, I was just pointing out the hits numbers for accuracy.
by Katherine215 on Jan 11, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
so carcillo has 5 more hits with 9 less games play?
but yeah agree
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 5:02 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I don't see Carcillo as returning any time soon
since it’s rumored he needs surgery. So yes, Bickell is now the hits leader of active forwards, which is all that matters if Carbomb isn’t playing. And with Carbomb out, the problem is compounded.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 4:28 PM CST up reply actions
I jumped on the people that said trade Bickell
Cap friendly contract, value to the system. Now? I still think it’s unlikely he gets traded. Sent down is totally an option though. He’s been a big pile of disinterested for far too long now.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think it's out of the question
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
I think it is
Hayes or Bickell. They fill the same role. Shaw’s role is different.
Q was real positive about both
in his post-game interview yesterday.
love
the pancake back injury article. in honor of it, here are more fun interesting injuries that real life goalies (not making millions of dollars) have suffered:
was it this one
I was sat on my lazy boy playing on the Xbox and sneezed and over rotated my lower back. It took me 3 days to relax it enough to walk un-aided and 3 months for it to feel solid enough to play.
that said, i did mine in picking up a pencil…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions
I threw out my back a few months ago whilst paying for a bottle of scotch
Fortunately, I had the scotch
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions
Teehee
The 2005 NL Rookie of the Year candidate short-circuited his season, and ultimately his career, by taking a tumble on a flight of stairs while carrying groceries. Barmes, who injured his left shoulder, later admitted he was actually hauling a slab of deer meat procured while hunting with teammate Todd Helton.
Will always be my favorite.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
oh dear lord
yes, that wins..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
i really appreciated this one
“not really, but once I got up in the middle of the night to get some water, sheets wrapped around my ankles, and I fell against the wall and broke my arm”
i love it
honorable mention
to this guy:
“You guys ever dislocate your shoulder while sleeping? I have. That sh-t wakes you up real quick.”
I beg to disagree
Now perhaps it’s because I’ve had shoulder issues for over a decade and partially separated them both hundreds (literally, not exaggerating) of times, but I’ve woken up more than once with a shoulder popped out of the socket, and it’s never been what’s woken me up
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
yes, frank..
but that’s probably got something to do with the 18 double-scotchs before bed..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:47 PM CST up reply actions
c'mon now, let's not get carried away
It was only 16. And a few tequilla shots
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 1:49 PM CST up reply actions
I had the same thing happen the other day
Couldn’t stand up straight for 2 days. I’m too young for back pain.
viktor Stalberg is certainly in the running for most improved player
I thought he was a solid as the space between his ears against detroit also. There is so much speed for other teams to contend with when 25/19/88 are joined at the hip.
or
just for columbus to contend with. as all the beat writers will remind us, stalberg is the kryptonite to columbus. well, him and every other nhl team, but ESPECIALLY stalberg.
by Raditzzzz on Jan 11, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
this is funny!
therefore, I flec!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 1:55 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe this is ignorance, but...
I don’t think crawford was bad at all last night. I thought he made a few big saves and was overall fine.
I thought he was solid last night
Would like him to work a little more on rebound control, but quite frankly I’d put more blame for both of the goals on the defense than on him
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Is Stalberg improved?
5 goals in 36 games against non-Columbus opposition isn’t much to get excited about.
HOCKEENIGHT.COM...home of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS and the HOCKEENIGHT PUCKCAST!!!
he's improved...
BTW, missing yer hat yet?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
ok ok
all joking aside, scoring against crappy teams is a good thing for the secondary players to do. at least it takes pressure off the core for a game and helps us take those points we need against teams we “should” beat.
besides, the guy has more goals than kane right now. and kane has been out there for all the columbus games, too. so i think its safe to say he’s improving even if the lions share have come against the BJs.
slightly OT
but question for Raditzzzz… what level do you play at? Always find your technical/goalie stuff very informative.
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
i appreciate the appreciation
hope it doesn’t hurt my street cred to let it out that i’m a career beer leaguer. but since starting playing (as an adult no less) i’ve definitely become a student of the position. i enjoy those technical positions, and tend to geek out on that type of stuff. there are alot of great veterans who have played at all levels as well as actual goaltending coaches who lurk the goalie store bulletin board, goalie guild, etc, so i built up my base of knowledge from them (many pro coaches comment on boards and try to connect with tenders so they can fill body spots for their clinics/camps). combine that with sitting in the cage for real helps with my so called “insight.” i try to qualify some of my statements when applying them to the nhl, since the level of play is at such a high level, but i can usually make a good educated comment about something based on the fundamentals of the position (nothing exclusive, just what makes the most sense to me). not to mention i tend to blather on…
if you want a nice layman’s introduction to technical goaltending (the video was made for a kid who wrote this ex-minor leaguer) check out corey wogtech’s instructional videos 1-4 on youtube. a fun way to burn time at work.
cred not hurt at all...
I can’t even skate but was a Goalie in Gaelic Sports (there’s a certain amount of crossover in terms of lack of protection and need to deal with your crease) and I firmly believe that goalies, no matter which sport, are a special breed and, lik yourself, students of the game. I can remember using details I gleaned out of a Hockey Manual I got as part of a random Christmas present many years ago (the start of my descent rise to becoming a Hockey fan) to help my Hurling Goalie positioning.. all that Glove/Stick work (although I didn’t have a big glove)…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Goalies in basically any sport also tend to be certifiably insane
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
for proof...
see me!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
I never said it was a bad thing
just pointing out a fact
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:03 PM CST up reply actions
mate, you'd love Gaelic sports..
Goalie never gets pulled, even after sustaining a very, very hard deliberate kick to the nuts.. (as happened to me)… I just got bent up and down a few times until I could breathe again.. and then on with it!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
hurling
is gnarly. i really enjoyed the episode of dhani tackles the globe where he went to ireland and played. also worked at an irish ex-pat’s shop when i first moved to chicago, so i got plenty of anecdotes.
yeah...
“the Fastest Field Sport in The World”… and that ball (sliotar) is really, really hard.. plus you have no body armour… time for major pain!
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
come to think of it
i haven’t had my crunchie, flake and malteser fix recently…
always appreciated that the traditional greeting in ireland consisted of a hundred thousand welcomes. might be over doing it by a couple thousand, but hey!
that would be
‘Cead Mile Failte’….
mura bhfuil tu Sasanach…..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Ach tá an slua mhór Sasanach sa Bhreatain Bheag, go háirithe ar teorainn chuig an Sasana. ... fiú amháin mura bhfuil sé curtha in áit go héifeachtach gach áit.
Ah, them were the days…
No Swagger, No Dagger
I think Google Translate may have let you down
(it doesn’t handle Irish very well)..
“But most Englishmen in Wales would rather go towards England.. even if it was done better, elsewhere?”
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
Or maybe YOUR Irish isn't quite as good as you think??
…Actual translation:“Fuck Scum and Fuck the Canucks, whales go toward England, not elswehere…”
No Swagger, No Dagger
Hey don't make fun of Vik "Hands" Stalberg,
the league leader (by a wide margin) in missed shot %.
He’s on pace for 18 goals! Forget he’s skating with Toews and Kaner, and that “a pylon would score 20” on that line, and the fact he’s getting the easiest zone starts against the weakest competition among Hawks forwards.
Ya know, one more goal then Bickell and Brouwer each had last year while mostly playing on the bottom lines with shitty teammates, harder comp, awful zone starts, etc.
That ONE GOAL could be HUGE! I bet they could even market it.
I’d say that he does look better though, but I know I’m probably wrong because I have no eye test and can only rely on stats/facts to make my arguments.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
even I
am having difficulty picking the sarcasm out of this one… (thumps Sarkometer)
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
Funny how the stats guys have such an incredibly different opinion of the Hawks third line.
Derek Zona out there is giving Bolland some love. For the same reasons that CNS and I tend to support the Hawks third line. You see, most teams give their third lines a “break.” They will play them against other teams third or fourth lines. At least on occasion. Hawks don’t do that. They will get their third line off the ice if it is matched against the other teams third or fourth lines.
So for the Hawks third line to score they have to do it against the other teams first or second lines. And the Hawks third line’s Zones Starts, show what a disadvantage they are for their Corsi numbers. Basically you can find teams with third lines that play to the Zone Start disadvantage but nobody out there really plays to the Quality of Competition disadvantage compared to the Hawks third line.
And one other thing. The Hawks don’t play defensively the same way with their third and fourth lines. The Hawks fourth line has more of a banger approach. The third line is used much more in positionally aware situations. There NOT simply checkers. So it is hard for the Hawks third line players to be leading the team in hits. I mean Buf and Brouwer had around twice the number of hits as Ladd during the cup year. I just think people are unrealistic or simply not paying attention to what the Hawks third line guys are doing for this team.
I've been preaching that about Bickell and hits for 2 years now
A 3rd liner in the Hawks system isn’t supposed to be running around hitting guys like Carcillo does. That would get the 3rd line killed. Same reason you don’t see much net presence. If two of them can kill a shift playing the puck along the boards, they will. That’s a win. It has to be a unique opportunity for Bolland to jump down low. His role has shifted to a more defensive one this year.
Have you noticed that Q has really divided the forwards this season between the “haves” (OffZoneStarts between 60-70%) and the “have nots” (OffZoneStarts between 30-40%). There’s no one in the middle! In past years the majority of the team was in the creamy middle, this year they’ve been “specialized.”
That has likely added to the difficulty for the 3rd and 4th lines. Not sure many realize how directly proportionate zone starts and Corsi are (and therefore PlusMinus, scoring, etc). Not saying the 3rd line shouldn’t be putting up some points, they have been slumping, but Q has divided the scorers vs non-scorers by design. And that’s what he was apparently trying to do with the D lines earlier this year too. Now he has a mixed system though and I don’t think it’s working. Ya gotta do one or the other.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 9:30 PM CST up reply actions
so, do you have any credence for the
“Bolland for the Selke” that was linked (from Zona I think) earlier on?
I read it and thought “WTF?” but then thought that maybe, as fans, we’re too close to the issue and perhaps Davieboll Lector really is the reason that Hossa, Sharp, Toews and Kane have been producing?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 9:40 PM CST up reply actions
I haven't read it, but yes, definitely
Like I mentioned above, Q has been coaching the team very differently this year. I brought this up many times earlier this season, but it was mostly based on the D pairings and the TOI each was getting with the different lines. Now there’s enough data to see it clearly defined in the stats too.
In past 3 years, the 3rd line would only get the top shutdown pair (2-7) supporting them 50% of the time. They’d get the number two line (4-51 for two years) about 30% of the time, and the 3rd pairing about 20% of the time.
This year for the first 12 games, Bolland’s line got the shutdown pairing (4-7) a whopping 70% of the time, 2-8 22% of the time, and the 3rd pairing only 8% of the time. The idea is the same as what teams like Vancouver do. Free up the guys who are the best scorers and put them in position to score.
So basically Q was theoretically going “all D” or “all O”. He’s still doing that with the forwards. The problem is that’s putting Leddy-Hjammer out there a lot with the checking line, and the checking line is getting worse zone starts and facing tougher competition than years past.
When Leddy was paired with Keith, they were out there with the checking line only about half as much as 4-8 are. I imagine that people assume that he’s in an easier role now that he’s paired with Hjammer, but the opposite is actually true since Q likes to get 2-7 out there with the top lines.
Like DH said, the 3rd line isn’t getting any breaks this season. If the opposition’s top lines aren’t out there, Q pulls them right off the ice. The reduced offensive output is by design, but I think he was expecting more based on last year’s inflated numbers. A bridge too far IMO.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
thanks for that
I think my (flawed) eye test agrees with that… DB’s reduced point scoring has more to do with the fact that he’s in a genuine defensive set up this year.. also the malfunctioning special teams, of course (I don’t have the stats to back this up, but it seems to me that a lot of his goals and assists last year came on the PP/PK)
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:29 PM CST up reply actions
oh, the article is
here BTW
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:32 PM CST up reply actions
Well I wrote Bolland should have won the Selke last year.
So I am NOT surprised Bolland gets love from the stats guys. Obviously he had a better year last year than he has so far this one. But Zona’s argument is one I and CNS have made in the past. Bolland takes on the other teams top line giving the Hawks top two lines weaker opponents to score on.
As for the D I have noticed that the Hawks are rolling their D pairs instead of matching them up like they have done in the past. So Yes, Leddy has had tougher competition than he did with Keith.
And I agree on Bolland, he seems to be playing differently, either by design or because of injury.
Everything yourself and Dale are arguing is bang on IMO
I haven’t thumbed through the stats anywhere near enough to produce as convincing an argument as the two of you have, but I can plainly see the 3rd line’s intent/direction out there. The point about not running around amassing big hit stats is very true. Checking and hitting should almost be seen as mutually exclusive events by a “checking” line. If the opportunity to take a shot at a guy is there, fine – but against elite offensive players, more often than not they are baiting you into contact with their intent being to expose your defensive coverage elsewhere (if you even manage to hit them).
Speaking of the Bolland for Selke candidacy… although I think his play on the defensive side may warrant it, I don’t believe he’ll ever win unless his offensive output spikes. It’s a trophy that seems to have morphed into requiring fairly decent/hefty offensive numbers. Also, if you’re in consideration as a centre-man – you best be winning over 50% of your draws or you won’t be in favour with the voters.
You are next.
Thanks M7
Refreshing insight. And no I don’t believe Bolland will ever win the Selke either, or should be up for it based on the nature of the award.
But I do believe that the uptick in production in the top 2 lines has much to do with Q giving them better opportunities. And therefore the opposite is true for Bolland. (Although I need a disclaimer that I still do agree with everyone that the 3rd line is under-producing, just not to the extent that others believe.)
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 12, 2012 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
Harder competition?
I guess some people think it is harder going head to head with abdelkader’s line than datsyuk’s line?
also known as
“would you like your skull bashed in with a small pointy rock or a big flat one?”
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
Like I said, my eye test says he’s been much better, but I have no hockey IQ. /rimshot, or maybe not
by ChicagoNativeSon on Jan 11, 2012 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
If he plays every game the rest of the year
and scores at his clip so far, he’ll reach 23-24. So…
We like our people!
Especially with 2 more games against Columbus...
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
he seems to be skating with more urgency..
using his size more effectively and getting smarter with decisions involving the puck. he’s not as afraid to rag it as he’s been in the past. Using his speed much more to his advantage. And this is just not based on the Jacket game. I noticed him being quite effective against Detroit.
OK, time for hilarity..
CTA just tweeted this.. not sure if it was Hjammertime or one of the other dudes..
but it’s still hilarious
Oh, Bleacher Report
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
Don't you have your doubts about keith winning the cup as a top d man?
Not like the guy has done it before or anything… oops.
Great
Now I’m bleeding out of my eyes AND ears
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
brilliant isn't it?
DGB should be this funny.. oh, wait…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
I personally love the bit about sending him to the Jets
because “it would be a homecoming” Yeah, I’m sure keith would be ecstatic about going to a team with no hope of winning a Cup for some considerable time to come…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:33 PM CST up reply actions
good tweet, then...
made me laugh my ass off
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:34 PM CST up reply actions
THIS
is the most fun you’re going to have today:
Sports Illustrated asked 161 NHL players to name the most overrated player in hockey. Here are the results
that was fun
can’t argue with most of them.. although I feel a couple are being judged based on their contracts…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
I was heartbroken to see my favorite at #12
or as Lambert said:
ryan lambert @twolinepass
iginla is one of the most overrated players in the NHL? i’ll personally fight every NHLer who said that. they’re dead.
agree
Still have a “Iginla as a Hawk” fantasy that keeps me warm on cold nights..
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:06 PM CST up reply actions
mmD, we've been over this before
you don’t need a fantasy to keep you warm on cold nights so long as you have whiskey
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:07 PM CST up reply actions
Didn't really need a poll.
Could have guessed that.
How are Komisarek and Gozez overrated when no one actually thinks they're good in the first place?
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
*Gomez
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
I thought that too..
I was, like, “Scott Who?”…. bet he can’t speak French either…
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 3:02 PM CST up reply actions
Three Calgary players
who are coincidentally the only three Calgary players I could name off the top of my head.
I 100% agree about 2 of them
completely disagree about Iginla though. I don’t think he’s overrated, I just think he’s entering the twilight of his career.
There are three types of people in this world: those who can count, and those who can't.
by FrankStallone on Jan 11, 2012 3:35 PM CST up reply actions
Just another in a long line of crap that Steve Rosenbloom has written about the Chicago Blackhawks
If I’ve linked it once, I’ve linked it a thousand times… this was the final straw for me with him.
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
I remember seeing this
and I don’t think I made it more than a paragraph in
what in the hell
that second comment is killing me. Rosenbloom can suck it
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
yes he can
and if you’re tough enough to read both articles you’ll notice he uses “Asphyxiating Playoff Race” in both…. he must like the term/not own a copy of Roget’s
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 9:48 PM CST up reply actions
I am and I did. Unfortunately. Ugh he is terrible
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 10:19 PM CST up reply actions
yup
dude is so full of it he squeaks… but then again, he’s the columnist so what do we know?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 10:21 PM CST up reply actions
They might be shitheads on the ice as of late
by JesusMarianHossa on Jan 11, 2012 4:54 PM CST reply actions
aw, good on marc savard
"Well now you're just talking like Foghorn Leghorn!"
by justforkicks on Jan 11, 2012 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
yes, yes he is...
and fuck Matt Cooke….
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 9:50 PM CST up reply actions
Melrose predicts you-know-who and you-know-who will meet in SCF and you-know-who will win the Chalice...
No Swagger, No Dagger
should we consider that the Kiss Of Death?
"Kevin, You can't play Doom Metal while wearing a scarf"
by mightymike D on Jan 11, 2012 9:52 PM CST up reply actions
He was right for finalists past two years including a certain year when a certain tram won it all
No Swagger, No Dagger
by Saskjet on Jan 12, 2012 4:26 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
laaarmer bait fail
so I’ll chip in.
The article about whether shooting percentage is predictive says “there is a mountain of evidence that shooting percentage is overwhelmingly driven by luck”.
Maybe I came late to the discussion (first paid attention to it with CNS’s post in November), so I assume I’m missing some context. But a couple obvious points. One, shooting percentage between players differs in large part because some players (e.g. forwards) take better quality shots than others (D-men), principally, shots from a shorter distance. Second, some players are more accurate shots than others. (Do we have Lemonhead ads for other players?)
But as best I can tell, the claim being made is not about individuals, but about the overall shooting percentages of one team vs another. (Paul the Fossil’s comment on CNS’s post was helpful to me in getting some clarity.)
That said, however, if team shooting percentages regress toward some mean over time, that is not “luck”, that is the outcome of the many factors that determine shooting percentages.
Roll a die once. You might get 1, or 4, or 2, or 6. That’s what we call “luck”, because we like narratives of “good” and “bad” luck.
Now roll a die many times. You will get an average of very close to 3.5. This is not luck, this is the result of the nature of the die, having six sides with equal chance of turning face up.
Of course, NHL shooting percentage is much more complex and interesting than dice. (SB Nation has no dice-rolling blog, right?) But if a team’s shooting percentages regresses toward some mean, then that is the result of the balance of factors of offensive strategy and defensive tactics.
And IF the claim is that every team’s shooting percentage tends towards THE SAME mean (which I think is the claim, but I’m not sure yet, I could be wrong), then it is much more interesting. It points toward a very intricate balance between all the factors that determine whether a shot lights the lamp or not.
The field of statistics is of value to us because it helps us model, describe, and to some degree, predict on an aggregate scale an enormous variety of complex physical, biological, and psychological processes. Within this framework, “luck” is the small-scale variability (as in "FUUUUCK! HOSS WHY U NO MAKE THAT SHOT?!?) that diminishes to negligibility in the large-scale.
That is all.
Hey! I take penumbrage at that!
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