Chicago Blackhawks stop skid with victory over Carolina Hurrica...

RamRod wrote:

<Cheerleader hat on>
What funk? It's scary for some, what with the history of Blackhawk seasons to draw on, to see elements of the team stumble, in particular instances, and see it as something needing correction. REPEAT: This ain't your Granpa's Blackhawks! Throw history out!
Look at the elements that got that win and figure that those are back to where they were, earlier in the season. Versteeg has me pumped. I don't know why being on wing makes such a difference, but I leave that to REAL hockey fans. Kaner is looking like the old Kaner, a very good thing. Bolland, Ladd, Burish, Eager and others are not necessarily lighting it up, but, THEY ARE WORKING THEIR **** U*T*T*S OFF! The "D", including Campbell, are making things happen, 99% of them good. The Ruutu goal came from 3 different guys failing to clear the puck from in front of Huet. IT HAPPENS. The Canes are good enough to take advantage of those things.
I like the way "Q" looks, no matter why the camera seeks him out. He looks like a real coach! confident, poised and in control. "This is no biggee, so don't get rattled with your jockies in a bunch. Stay with it and git her done." Wish I could see that with other coaches in town.
We WON! Snafus and all.
Did I mention that I hate shootouts!
Kids! You gotta love 'em.
"They're OUR kids, damnit!"

I agree that they have been an incredible surprise all year and have been exciting to watch...but I'm getting greedy, I want them to go out there every night and look like a Premier team in this league. Some of the mistakes that were made last night, could cost you a chance at the cup.

It is coming down to the point of the season where they need to start playing playoff type hockey and be ready for the intensity that is elevated come April (not to mention all that facial hair).

I am happy with the win, but I want to see them being more assertive down the stretch...no mercy....cup hungry. It may be too much to ask from a young team, but I can speak for a lot of Hawks fans here. We are ready for "that team that won the cup."

As for Versteeg playing wing, I think he was more relaxed. There is an incredible amount of responsibillity on centers, whether it is faceoffs or the added coverage of ice that you are responsible for. I think Versteeg approaches playing wing as "keeping it simple," as we hear so many players refer to it nowadays.

I can't wait for the fellas to start growing there playoff peachfuzz..l-o-l

its sad because all this talent the hawks have they only have 2 years to win the cup. this year and next. with all these young players they wont be able to keep any of them all because the worse player on the team is making almost 8 mill a year. It couldnt be more obvious that brian cambell is the worse player on the team yet he takes up like a fifth of the cap. how do you expect to keep bolland versteeg kane toews brower keith havlat ladd when this clown is making so much money. the coaching staff will need to stay on him constently if they want to make it past the first round.

Tony wrote:

I can't wait for the fellas to start growing there playoff peachfuzz..l-o-l

I'm already working on my playoff mullet!

hockey4134:Well,Kane,Toews and Keith would be my priorities...Khabby's gone that frees 6 mil or so and unless Havlat comes back for no more than 2 yrs at roughly 3 mil or under I don't resign him. Ladd? Eh, you can probably find another player who could do what he does but if you can sign him to another 1 yr deal fine. I'd agree that Bolland is a keeper along with Versteeg and Versteeg is going to be an FA after this season so i'd think he'd top Tallon's list to resign...

Campbell's getting bashed no doubt but he's pretty much doing what is expected as far as PP. Do I think he should be putting up bigger offensive numbers? Yeah with the Money he's making. With his defense it's pretty much what you see is what you get but again he's not a shutdown D man..Like Huet he's not going anywhere so you take the good with the bad and hopefully good out weighs bad...My 2 cents...

Thank you, HOCKEY 4134!

Campbell is marginal at best. No defense and not enough offense. I have yet to see him check anyone.

Spanky wrote:

Thank you, HOCKEY 4134!
Campbell is marginal at best. No defense and not enough offense. I have yet to see him check anyone.

Campbell is either third or forth in points on the Hawks and is in the top five in the NHL for offensive points by defencemen. Guys like Paul Coffey with the OILERS and to an extent even the great Bobby ORR were not renouned as hitters , their role was more offensive. Campbell is not a big guy, he will never be a bone crushing hitter. His role is to move the puck up ice to forwards and set up offense.He also blocks shots and bloks shooting lanes and he has broken up rushes against the Hawks by breaking up passing plays. A year ago this blog was full of comments from fans that wanted campbell here. Now we got him and the guys that understand the game can appreciate his role and how he plays the game.DT paid what the market dictated to get Campbell and he will have to find a way to keep his key guys signed.WE wanted Campbell and got him and he is doing what was expected and what he was signed for he will never be a bruising hitter but he will get points and set up scoring chances. Toews, Kane, Versteege will be restricted F/A's when their contracts are up so we have first chance at keeping them. With the salary cap as part of the game the GM's job is becoming money managament as well as roster buiding and it ain't that simple a job.
We are all Hawks fans here and commenting and criticism are part of the fun of talking to other fans. It is interesting to share comments and get other's views.

Bryan - Good solid comeback.

Paul - Your usual well-balanced assessment of Hawk reality (even if it feels like a fantasy).

"They're OUR kids, damnit!"

Blue Jackets tonight. They are on a roll and can taste a shot at the playoffs so it won't be a soft game. Nash has 8 goals in his last 9 games and Williams has been added to their line up to fortify their PP. Should be a great game. We need this one guys so LETS GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!

Should be a playoff type atmosphere tonight...

RamRod wrote:

Bryan - Good solid comeback.
Paul - Your usual well-balanced assessment of Hawk reality (even if it feels like a fantasy).
"They're OUR kids, damnit!"

" A dream is a wish your heart makes"!!