Comments on: Blackhawks v. Predators: Super-Toews to the Rescue! http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/ All Chicago Blackhawks hockey all the time! Mon, 10 May 2010 07:01:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Goon Squad http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Goon Squad Sun, 06 Dec 2009 00:23:59 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-272 Tazer, Kaner, Ho$$a and Keefer have MILLION$ of rea$on$ to play their a$$e$ of and pull the extra weight if need be! Plus, it's Tazer job as the captain to lead by example. He'll jump on these fools when he has to, and get that fire lit back up. Give 'em time. Think about the guys who helped us get to the playoffs, and then kicked ass in the playoffs. They worked hard too, and now here they are watching all of this money being handed out to just a few guys, and that may have killed their confidence. I'm telling you, knowing that you might be moved, or not seeing any monetary rewards for your efforts will do horrible things to you psychy. (spelling?) Now, knowing that there isn't any money left because of the cap, you have little reason to give your all. And EVERY team has some issues, and ours are relatively minor, compared to those who are REALLY struggling... Tazer, Kaner, Ho$$a and Keefer have MILLION$ of rea$on$ to play their a$$e$ of and pull the extra weight if need be!

Plus, it’s Tazer job as the captain to lead by example.
He’ll jump on these fools when he has to, and get that fire lit back up.
Give ‘em time.

Think about the guys who helped us get to the playoffs, and then kicked ass in the playoffs.
They worked hard too, and now here they are watching all of this money being handed out to just a few guys, and that may have killed their confidence.
I’m telling you, knowing that you might be moved, or not seeing any monetary rewards for your efforts will do horrible things to you psychy. (spelling?)
Now, knowing that there isn’t any money left because of the cap, you have little reason to give your all.

And EVERY team has some issues, and ours are relatively minor, compared to those who are REALLY struggling…

]]> By: HHH http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-271 HHH Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:39:44 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-271 Yes, Eager, Fraser, and Kopecky are 3rd and 4th line guys and I get that, but even for that, they're not as good as they were last year. They're playing less and scoring less, and they're not giving the 1st and 2nd lines enough of a breather. Yeah, it may be a relative argument comparing last year with this year, but our best guys, like Dunc, are still playing for too much of the game to make up for them. Tazer is out of breath at the end of the 1st period like I've never seen him be winded before. So, the 3rd and 4th lines need to start pulling their weight. And Madden? Well, I'm not sold on him yet. I know he's a veteran center, but he's still kind of hit-or-miss. Again, this is why I'm frustrated because the people that should be putting in their fair share aren't, and that makes people like Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, and Niklas Hjalmarsson have to work harder to compensate. Yes, Eager, Fraser, and Kopecky are 3rd and 4th line guys and I get that, but even for that, they’re not as good as they were last year. They’re playing less and scoring less, and they’re not giving the 1st and 2nd lines enough of a breather. Yeah, it may be a relative argument comparing last year with this year, but our best guys, like Dunc, are still playing for too much of the game to make up for them. Tazer is out of breath at the end of the 1st period like I’ve never seen him be winded before. So, the 3rd and 4th lines need to start pulling their weight.

And Madden? Well, I’m not sold on him yet. I know he’s a veteran center, but he’s still kind of hit-or-miss. Again, this is why I’m frustrated because the people that should be putting in their fair share aren’t, and that makes people like Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith, and Niklas Hjalmarsson have to work harder to compensate.

]]> By: Cakes http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-270 Cakes Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:03:02 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-270 Too bad Crosby won't be playing tonight, I'd like to see as even a matchup as possible. Actually, I would just like to see the game period. I live just outside the Chicago viewing area, so I don't get the games on WGN-TV :( Thankfully, the Icehogs are playing tonight so I'm taking my 4 year old son to see them play against Lake Erie tonight (gotta get my daily hockey fix!) Eager, Fraser and Kopecky are 3rd and 4th line guys for a reason. They are not going to score alot of goals; they are out there primarily to give our 1st and 2nd lines a breather. Not every team uses a 4th line on a regular basis, so we are lucky to have 3 guys who can go out there and give our better players an extra 20-30 seconds of rest between shifts. If anyone on our 4th line scores, it's a bonus. One guy who has really caught my attention as of late is John Madden. It seems like he has taken things to a new level, starting on the circus trip, and it has continued at home, as well. I can't really put my finger on what it is he is doing better, except I have noticed a lot more hustle than I saw from him in the first 15 games of the season. And, of course, his faceoff win percentage has been impressive ALL year. Too bad Crosby won’t be playing tonight, I’d like to see as even a matchup as possible. Actually, I would just like to see the game period. I live just outside the Chicago viewing area, so I don’t get the games on WGN-TV :( Thankfully, the Icehogs are playing tonight so I’m taking my 4 year old son to see them play against Lake Erie tonight (gotta get my daily hockey fix!)

Eager, Fraser and Kopecky are 3rd and 4th line guys for a reason. They are not going to score alot of goals; they are out there primarily to give our 1st and 2nd lines a breather. Not every team uses a 4th line on a regular basis, so we are lucky to have 3 guys who can go out there and give our better players an extra 20-30 seconds of rest between shifts. If anyone on our 4th line scores, it’s a bonus.

One guy who has really caught my attention as of late is John Madden. It seems like he has taken things to a new level, starting on the circus trip, and it has continued at home, as well. I can’t really put my finger on what it is he is doing better, except I have noticed a lot more hustle than I saw from him in the first 15 games of the season. And, of course, his faceoff win percentage has been impressive ALL year.

]]> By: HHH http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-269 HHH Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:17:09 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-269 I could do a run down of all the stats in all my posts, but that gets kind of boring and lame dontcha think? Besides, the newer hockey fans may not understand +/- ratings and may get lost and I don't want to do that to them. Lots of people complain about +/- ratings too saying they don't tell the whole story. Normally I'd agree to an extent, but with Eager, Fraser, and definitely Kopecky, I think their stats say quite a bit. The question remains, are they doing it on purpose or are they just that lousy? Yes, I heard about Sidney Crosby and his groin pull and I'm disappointed. I wanted to see how the Hawks would do against <em>all</em> of the defending champs. Honestly, I'm nervous with or without the Kid. The Hawks are not as well put together as they were last season. Has it occurred to anyone that they lead the division only because everyone else in the division is kind of shaky too? And thanks Goon, for giving us that lovely run-down of how to go about icing down your marbles. ;) I could do a run down of all the stats in all my posts, but that gets kind of boring and lame dontcha think? Besides, the newer hockey fans may not understand +/- ratings and may get lost and I don’t want to do that to them. Lots of people complain about +/- ratings too saying they don’t tell the whole story. Normally I’d agree to an extent, but with Eager, Fraser, and definitely Kopecky, I think their stats say quite a bit. The question remains, are they doing it on purpose or are they just that lousy?

Yes, I heard about Sidney Crosby and his groin pull and I’m disappointed. I wanted to see how the Hawks would do against all of the defending champs. Honestly, I’m nervous with or without the Kid. The Hawks are not as well put together as they were last season. Has it occurred to anyone that they lead the division only because everyone else in the division is kind of shaky too?

And thanks Goon, for giving us that lovely run-down of how to go about icing down your marbles. ;)

]]> By: Goon Squad http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-268 Goon Squad Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:24:06 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-268 I'm glad to see that you are doing your homework. The Buff and his bad brakes comment wasn't about him boarding that guy. I was referring to his blow out that Cakes mentioned earlier. BTW, The Cry Baby Kid won't be in the line-up this evening. It seems that for the second time, his balls got sore right before he was due to face the Hawks. I didn't know they had that kinda effect on the worlds greatest players. I can almost hear it now, after we win of course, 'they got lucky cuz we didn't have Cindy!' Boo - Fricken - Hoooo! Grow a pair, boy, and ice 'em up! I am the Goon, and I approve this message. ;) I’m glad to see that you are doing your homework.

The Buff and his bad brakes comment wasn’t about him boarding that guy.
I was referring to his blow out that Cakes mentioned earlier.

BTW, The Cry Baby Kid won’t be in the line-up this evening.
It seems that for the second time, his balls got sore right before he was due to face the Hawks.
I didn’t know they had that kinda effect on the worlds greatest players.

I can almost hear it now, after we win of course, ‘they got lucky cuz we didn’t have Cindy!’
Boo – Fricken – Hoooo!

Grow a pair, boy, and ice ‘em up!

I am the Goon, and I approve this message. ;)

]]> By: HHH http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-267 HHH Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:28:56 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-267 Perhaps I can help you out on calling out who's not contributing. I went down the roster and looked at the stats of some of the forwards. (I think we've covered the defensemen adequately enough dontcha think, although Duncan Keith is still playing 28-29 minutes a game.) In the last 3 games: Ben Eager had 4-7 minutes of ice time and had a +/- rating of either 0 or -1. Colin Fraser had 7-8 minutes of ice time and was 0 or -1 (-2 for the season so far). Tomas Kopecky had 5-7 minutes of ice time and is 0 or -1 (<i>-7</i> for the season so far). So I think you see the problem. They should have more ice time; should be contributing more while on the ice, but they're not. Perhaps I can help you out on calling out who’s not contributing. I went down the roster and looked at the stats of some of the forwards. (I think we’ve covered the defensemen adequately enough dontcha think, although Duncan Keith is still playing 28-29 minutes a game.)

In the last 3 games: Ben Eager had 4-7 minutes of ice time and had a +/- rating of either 0 or -1. Colin Fraser had 7-8 minutes of ice time and was 0 or -1 (-2 for the season so far). Tomas Kopecky had 5-7 minutes of ice time and is 0 or -1 (-7 for the season so far).

So I think you see the problem. They should have more ice time; should be contributing more while on the ice, but they’re not.

]]> By: HHH http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-266 HHH Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:05:10 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-266 Yes I totally agree Buff needs to figure out how to put on the brakes. Maybe he needs a toe pick. :D (Sorry. Couldn't resist.) But last night's hit was intentional, and intentionally dirty. I'm not going to ignore that simply because he's a Hawk. What I would like to see is players policing themselves for dirty hits so that the NHL doesn't feel the pressure to create new penalties with higher fines or more minutes in the box or ejections from the game or something. And I think you're right Goon Squad. Buff is trying to fill a new role, but he's bumbling badly. I hope he figures it out soon. I don't understand. If a player sucks, and they know they might be on the chopping block, how does sucking even more help them to <i>not</i> get the ax? Seems their sucking would guarantee their being traded. Why? Because they'd be less marketable? And yes I know there are other people on the team. And yes I know Tazer can't do it all himself, despite what <i>he</i> thinks. (Note I call him "Super-Toews" in the title of this post.) He was so out of breath after the 1st period that in that interview with Sarah Kustok he could hardly speak. Poor kid. But I'm confused, you say the favorites need to start producing? Hjalmarsson's my favorite d-man, and I don't think he can do anymore than he does. He's everywhere that Soupy isn't. Toews is my favorite forward and he is killing himself out there. Sopel took a bad shot to the knee defending the net. Troy Brouwer got fly swatted on the boards. So I'm trying to think of who you're thinking should be more productive other than the people I complain about all the time. Or are you talking about other people's favorites like Patrick Kane? Please tell. Yes I totally agree Buff needs to figure out how to put on the brakes. Maybe he needs a toe pick. :D (Sorry. Couldn’t resist.) But last night’s hit was intentional, and intentionally dirty. I’m not going to ignore that simply because he’s a Hawk. What I would like to see is players policing themselves for dirty hits so that the NHL doesn’t feel the pressure to create new penalties with higher fines or more minutes in the box or ejections from the game or something.

And I think you’re right Goon Squad. Buff is trying to fill a new role, but he’s bumbling badly. I hope he figures it out soon.

I don’t understand. If a player sucks, and they know they might be on the chopping block, how does sucking even more help them to not get the ax? Seems their sucking would guarantee their being traded. Why? Because they’d be less marketable?

And yes I know there are other people on the team. And yes I know Tazer can’t do it all himself, despite what he thinks. (Note I call him “Super-Toews” in the title of this post.) He was so out of breath after the 1st period that in that interview with Sarah Kustok he could hardly speak. Poor kid. But I’m confused, you say the favorites need to start producing? Hjalmarsson’s my favorite d-man, and I don’t think he can do anymore than he does. He’s everywhere that Soupy isn’t. Toews is my favorite forward and he is killing himself out there. Sopel took a bad shot to the knee defending the net. Troy Brouwer got fly swatted on the boards. So I’m trying to think of who you’re thinking should be more productive other than the people I complain about all the time. Or are you talking about other people’s favorites like Patrick Kane? Please tell.

]]> By: Goon Squad http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Goon Squad Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:07:42 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-265 No. of course I don't like the hits from behind. I haven't actually seen the hit yet, as I was catching the last period and a half on the radio, but I'm sure it wasn't very good. Do you see what I mean about Buff needing to work on using his brakes? Is it possible that the players you say suck know they are on the potential chopping block are sucking even more in the hopes that they won't get the ax just so they can stay here? I wonder sometimes. There are also 19 other guys capable of scoring goals and defending the net. It's time to get the production outta those you deem to be favs. Leaving it all up to Tazer isn't fair. Tonights game, to me anyways, is gonna be the biggest test of their skills so far this season. Our D has some gunners to shut down, a good D to get around and a goalie who really really likes to win. I hate cry cry baby fans more than I hate the Sharks, and my pride is just DYING to rub a killer win in their faces. This evening we'll see if what coach Q did to them after the game worked, cuz I'm sure he wasn't very happy last night... No. of course I don’t like the hits from behind.
I haven’t actually seen the hit yet, as I was catching the last period and a half on the radio, but I’m sure it wasn’t very good.
Do you see what I mean about Buff needing to work on using his brakes?
Is it possible that the players you say suck know they are on the potential chopping block are sucking even more in the hopes that they won’t get the ax just so they can stay here?
I wonder sometimes.
There are also 19 other guys capable of scoring goals and defending the net.
It’s time to get the production outta those you deem to be favs. Leaving it all up to Tazer isn’t fair.
Tonights game, to me anyways, is gonna be the biggest test of their skills so far this season.
Our D has some gunners to shut down, a good D to get around and a goalie who really really likes to win.
I hate cry cry baby fans more than I hate the Sharks, and my pride is just DYING to rub a killer win in their faces.
This evening we’ll see if what coach Q did to them after the game worked, cuz I’m sure he wasn’t very happy last night…

]]> By: HHH http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-264 HHH Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:42:24 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-264 Yes and did you also see him in the 3rd period lose his stick and charge a Pred, hitting him from behind on the boards. The resulting boarding call was quite deserved obviously. So, down by one, should Buff have been so careless? And Goon Squad, cause I know you're going to read this, you talk about dirty hits all the time. Surely you wouldn't condone Buff's bad behavior on this one would you, hitting a guy from behind like that on the boards? Yes and did you also see him in the 3rd period lose his stick and charge a Pred, hitting him from behind on the boards. The resulting boarding call was quite deserved obviously. So, down by one, should Buff have been so careless?

And Goon Squad, cause I know you’re going to read this, you talk about dirty hits all the time. Surely you wouldn’t condone Buff’s bad behavior on this one would you, hitting a guy from behind like that on the boards?

]]> By: Cakes http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/2009/12/04/blackhawks-v-predators-super-toews-to-the-rescue/comment-page-1/#comment-262 Cakes Sat, 05 Dec 2009 05:05:44 +0000 http://www.hawkshockeyhoiden.com/?p=2154#comment-262 Did you see Bumbling Byfuglien have a blowout trying to stop himself late in the 3rd? Typical Buff, but it was freakin' hilarious :D He wasn't even on the puck! Did you see Bumbling Byfuglien have a blowout trying to stop himself late in the 3rd? Typical Buff, but it was freakin’ hilarious :D He wasn’t even on the puck!

]]>