I'd say, that overall that they have surprised me being in the position they are in this soon.
If you were to tell me that they'd go 7-4-1 in February I would have taken it. I'm surprised a bit by the 4-5-2 mark in March, but not having to claw with three or four other teams, and hope for someone else to lose - just to get in, is much better on the heart.
Still the youngest team in the league and as was mentioned on yesterdays broadcast, that average is scewed (higher) due to the ages of the two goalies.
Speaking of goalie, That is my concern going forward. I always was of the mind that, as long as you have a guy that doesn't give up "softies" a good defense can make a good goalie. Huet is getting too much and is prone to the "softy". Double-Whammy.
Not frustrated with the Hawks at all. Several injuries to key players piled up at the same time and they took a slump slide... like every other team does from time to time.
I simply like to lean back and laugh at the chicken little's running around panicking over it. Definitely watching the names in this thread and dearly hoping for a chance to "I told you so" in the playoffs in the next few years. There are clearly some "fans" who are HOPING the team fails... though they probably would never admit it.
Well considering I was one of the "so-called panickers" labelled by yourself, I would'nt kick back and relax and say it's all good cuz we beat a non-playoff team yesterday. We have the Devils, Sharks and Canucks coming up this week and when you couple that with how bad we've been playing this team is still a long way's off. That will be a true playoff test, you can't go into the playoffs playing poorly and expect things to turn around with cliched comments like "the cup is not won in March" and "anything can happen in the playoffs", you actually have to play good before you start the playoffs.
Well considering I was one of the "so-called panickers" labelled by yourself, I would'nt kick back and relax and say it's all good cuz we beat a non-playoff team yesterday. We have the Devils, Sharks and Canucks coming up this week and when you couple that with how bad we've been playing this team is still a long way's off. That will be a true playoff test, you can't go into the playoffs playing poorly and expect things to turn around with cliched comments like "the cup is not won in March" and "anything can happen in the playoffs", you actually have to play good before you start the playoffs.
Actually I have to say you managed to be 100% wrong on almost every single thing you just said.
1. You don't have to be playing good before you start the playoffs. This gets pointed out every year, it seems, but "hot" vs "cold" at the end of the regular season has historically had ZERO effect on how a team does in the playoffs.
2. There are no "playoff tests" in the regular season. You get playoff tests in, believe it or not, the playoffs. The Devils and Sharks have little to play for and will be giving their best players rests, and maybe trying some new things. It will not be much like playoff games.
3. I'm not sitting back and relaxing because of beating the Kings, because I was never tense in the first place. Slumps happen. Take a look at the Sharks record recently. Should they be demanding their coach and GM be fired? LOL.
This team doesn't have the playoff experience to go deep this year, IMO. However, the only way you GET playoff experience is to play in them, and the Hawks look to be in fine shape for that. Bring on Vancouver, I think our odds are excellent against them.
Well considering I was one of the "so-called panickers" labelled by yourself, I would'nt kick back and relax and say it's all good cuz we beat a non-playoff team yesterday. We have the Devils, Sharks and Canucks coming up this week and when you couple that with how bad we've been playing this team is still a long way's off. That will be a true playoff test, you can't go into the playoffs playing poorly and expect things to turn around with cliched comments like "the cup is not won in March" and "anything can happen in the playoffs", you actually have to play good before you start the playoffs.
See Dallas Stars last year. They stumbled into the playoffs and did some major damage. Playoffs all come down to getting goaltending and clutch scoring when you need it.
I'd say, that overall that they have surprised me being in the position they are in this soon.
If you were to tell me that they'd go 7-4-1 in February I would have taken it. I'm surprised a bit by the 4-5-2 mark in March, but not having to claw with three or four other teams, and hope for someone else to lose - just to get in, is much better on the heart.
Still the youngest team in the league and as was mentioned on yesterdays broadcast, that average is scewed (higher) due to the ages of the two goalies.
Speaking of goalie, That is my concern going forward. I always was of the mind that, as long as you have a guy that doesn't give up "softies" a good defense can make a good goalie. Huet is getting too much and is prone to the "softy". Double-Whammy.
Overpayments to shed: Huet, Sopel, Buff.
Could not agree with you more. Sharp and Khabby coming back are definitely going to help. If Huet was never signed then Khabby could have come back next year but it looks like Hawks will be stuck for Huet. I have never been a Huet fan and was disappointed when Dale signed him but it could still work out. Hawks had too much cash tied up in two goalies this year. Dale has made enough decent moves that I think he deserves a pass on Huet.
I guess it needs to be pointed out again that if Huet wasn't signed we'd be going into next season with Niemi as our starter, with no real UFA options to speak of.
Tallon looked further ahead than most of his bashers were capable of when signing Huet. Also, would you want the Khabibulin of the two seasons PREVIOUS to this one as your starter? It's easy to forget how badly he was playing then, when it came time to examine the goaltender position future. I certainly wouldn't have resigned him.
Actually I have to say you managed to be 100% wrong on almost every single thing you just said.
1. You don't have to be playing good before you start the playoffs. This gets pointed out every year, it seems, but "hot" vs "cold" at the end of the regular season has historically had ZERO effect on how a team does in the playoffs.
2. There are no "playoff tests" in the regular season. You get playoff tests in, believe it or not, the playoffs. The Devils and Sharks have little to play for and will be giving their best players rests, and maybe trying some new things. It will not be much like playoff games.
3. I'm not sitting back and relaxing because of beating the Kings, because I was never tense in the first place. Slumps happen. Take a look at the Sharks record recently. Should they be demanding their coach and GM be fired? LOL.
This team doesn't have the playoff experience to go deep this year, IMO. However, the only way you GET playoff experience is to play in them, and the Hawks look to be in fine shape for that. Bring on Vancouver, I think our odds are excellent against them.
Why am I wrong, because I don't agree with you? This is a board where we post our opinions and views of how we see this team. You counter everything I say no matter what I say and that's fine cuz those are your opinions but don't say that the Hawks can play as poorly as they want and they'll be fine in the playoffs. Fact:this team relies so much on their run 'n' gun style if they feel the least bit down on themselves they will crumble in the face of any adversity. We've seen it happen already. You think they're gonna switch their M.O. and start playing the trap.
This a young, inexperienced team (playoff wise) despite the few players that have cup rings if they go into the playoffs on a 6 out of 8 game losing streak, having to start on the road it will hurt them. Of course you could always make an arguement saying that the pressure's off them. If they win 6 out of 8 and have home-ice they're too cocky and they get swept and a goalie like Luongo shuts the door. It can go either way.
As far as Dallas stumbling last year, that's a poor comparison to us cuz the Stars were a playoff savvy team. Even despite Turcos' struggles in the post-season they still had Modano, Lehtinin, Morrow, Zubov and a Conn Smyth winner in Richards. Other than Khabby and maybe Paulsson no one else on this team has really had a dramatic effect on a playoff team.
I'd have to agree with BBGLR (still wondering what that means btw) on this one.
I think we need the boys to start rolling as soon as possible and go on a tear entering the playoffs. Home ice would be sweat.
I guess it needs to be pointed out again that if Huet wasn't signed we'd be going into next season with Niemi as our starter, with no real UFA options to speak of.
Tallon looked further ahead than most of his bashers were capable of when signing Huet. Also, would you want the Khabibulin of the two seasons PREVIOUS to this one as your starter? It's easy to forget how badly he was playing then, when it came time to examine the goaltender position future. I certainly wouldn't have resigned him.
Better and cheaper options than Huet will be available this off season. Manny Fernandez is one that comes to me right off the top of my head. A number of teams will also have salary cap issues and will have to probably waive or trade players. Khabby played pretty well last season as well. I remember the Hawks went on a long winless streak when he was hurt. I have never been a Huet fan so maybe I am too biased against him but I have seen him give up way too many softies over the years.
Better and cheaper options than Huet will be available this off season. Manny Fernandez is one that comes to me right off the top of my head.
And if some other team beats the Hawks offer? Sounds like quite a risk, and only for a player who has only played 28 games the last couple years and has never really been a #1.
Fernandez is the only one that could even be considered to be in Huet's league, other than Thomas who is extremely unlikely to reach UFA.
Quote:
A number of teams will also have salary cap issues and will have to probably waive or trade players.
Not something a wise GM would stake his entire team's performance on.
I'm with Crazy_Ike on this one. I think the team looks fantastic and I'm glad we took our lumps when the games didn't count for that much. I mean, if we lost a bunch right at the beginning of the year, we might have gone and done something rash, like fire our coach.
This excerpt from Buccigross' latest mailbag seems pertinent to this thread - mentions the last three Stanley Cup winners all having a rough stretch near the end of the regular season..
I was wondering what your thoughts are about the Blackhawks' recent slide? The Hawks have played themselves out of home-ice in the first round by earning only eight of the past 20 possible points. Losing Patrick Sharp to injury has definitely hurt their offense, but I'm more concerned with Cristobal Huet. He seems to be giving up too many soft goals lately. Should the Q-Stache abandon the goalie rotation and stick with [Nikolai] Khabibulin?
David Jones
Chicago
A note to nervous Bruins, Sharks, Flames and Blackhawks fans: Last season's Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, finished February by losing 10 of 11 games before winning five in a row. They then lost back-to-back games to Nashville and Columbus. From there, Detroit won seven of its last nine.
In 2007, Anaheim lost seven of its first 10 February games. In 2006, Carolina had a 4-7-0 stretch in March. Carolina also lost four of its last five of the regular season. Anaheim and Carolina also went on to win the Stanley Cup during those seasons.
The Hawks, Bruins and others have proven throughout a long stretch of the season that they are teams that could win the Stanley Cup this spring. Health, goaltending, special teams and team unity/toughness will be the keys to the postseason for the B's and Hawks, who have had no recent playoff success on which to build. I would be more worried about the Hawks because of Huet's play of late and his small sample size of playoff numbers (which are not great).
Your goalie has to be GREAT in the playoffs. Luckily for the Hawks, they have Nikolai Khabibulin, who has proven he can win a Cup. If I were a Bruins fan, I would have faith in Tim Thomas.
This excerpt from Buccigross' latest mailbag seems pertinent to this thread - mentions the last three Stanley Cup winners all having a rough stretch near the end of the regular season..
Thanks for doing a better job of making my point than I did. I did not feel like doing the research to prove a point. I am sure you could also find enough Cup winners that were hot down the stretch as well. Each year is unique as is each team. I do not think Hawks will win the Cup this year but I do not think that it will have anything to do with their recent slump but more to do with their youth and needing to lose before they ultimately win it all in the very near future.
This excerpt from Buccigross' latest mailbag seems pertinent to this thread - mentions the last three Stanley Cup winners all having a rough stretch near the end of the regular season..
Thanks for that. It's well known that the regular season "streakiness" of a team as it finishes has no impact whatsoever on its playoff performance, but its nice to see someone else saying the same thing too.
I'd have to agree with BBGLR (still wondering what that means btw) on this one.
I think we need the boys to start rolling as soon as possible and go on a tear entering the playoffs. Home ice would be sweat.
Just cuz you asked, BBGLR- stands for Bring Back Goulet, Larmer Roenick. That was a kick-ass line for the Hawks in 90-91 the year they won the Presidents' Trophy. Roenick and Larmer had 40 goal seasons and Goulet had a respectable 27 goal campaign.
I have no present frustrations with the hawks, but I do have trepidations. I love that Toews could/will be back for the playoffs, but I dread that moment he takes his first big hit. I don't trust any of these players dealing with concussions.
That and obviously our timid and lifeless power play, which may or may not get a shot in the ass with the shakeup.
Although their defense and goaltending improved a bit the last month of the season, it still is strong enough for a deep playoff run. And without a completely healthy Toews, they're offense doesn't have enough strength. While they're still a good team, they're presently no longer one of the NHL's elite.
