Havlat, Khabibulin don't practice
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville didn't rule out Martin Havlat and Nikolai Khabibulin playing Wednesday in Game 5 at Detroit, but it doesn't look good - particularly for Khabibulin.
Neither player practiced Tuesday morning at the United Center but both accompanied the team to Detroit.
"We'll have a better assessment (Wednesday)," Quenneville said.
It would appear Havlat has a better chance of playing than Khabibulin, which means Cristobal Huet would get his second straight start.
Khabibulin has either a groin or leg injury and he never has been the quickest healer.
Patrick Sharp skated at right wing in Havlat's spot at practice Tuesday with Dave Bolland and Andrew Ladd.
The first line was Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien.
Meanwhile in Detroit, neither Nicklas Lidstrom nor Pavel Datsyuk practiced Tuesday morning. Lidstrom missed Game 4 with a lower body injury. Datsyuk has missed the last two games of the series with a foot injury.
When the coach of a young team loses his cool, the team follows. Q melted at the end of Period 1 and the start of the Second. So did his team. Blaming the refs for the Game 4 debacle is like blaming the bartender on the Titanic for the ship sinking. The Hawks went back on their collective heels after the shorty followed a few minutes later by Goal #2 with 20 seconds or so in the First Period. When it was 3-1 there was a flicker of light - extinguished 15 seconds later - game set and match. Game 5 is a formality but make no mistake, the Hawks season ended with Detroit's comeback goal 4 - scored while many of the Hawks were still congratulating themselves for scoring instead of paying attention to business.
Even if we lost, which would break my heart, to force Detroit into using Lidstrom and Datsyuk maybe twice more this series and imperilling them for the Finals would be worth it. I don't wish harm on any player, just the Red Wings in general.
I think what I hated most about Game 4 was it didn't look like fun out there. I know as a player you can't go in not caring -- not in their nature -- but we aren't supposed to have gotten this far, the odds of winning the series are pretty slim . . . so why not have some fun with it? Not being at home will help, I think. Play hard, back check, but don't get concerned with retaliation or be afraid to make plays. To hell with it! I made a bad analogy before the series about how the Isles pasted the Oilers before Gretzky and them won their first. Well, maybe Pittsburgh's the Oilers, this is their year, and we're either the Canadiens or Flames.
I'm not even watching on telly tonight. I'll be doing work at the computer with the radio stream on, drinking a beer, and just enjoying hockey.
NHL's most rugged players. A bunch of deserving warriors.... then you have Buff in the middle of this group. I about busted a gut. I think he is having a good series and all .... but he is being put in the category of Bobby Clarke, Clark Gilles, Rod Brind'amore, Ovechkin, Orpik, Pronger, Potvin, Scott Stevens, etc..
Wow.
I totally agree. Buff has shown a lot of improvement in the playoffs, but for him to be put in that category is wrong. Hopefully the Hawks will force a Game 6 tonight... LET'S GO HAWKS!!!
I think this is being blown out of proportion. The game was basically out of hand when some of the guys lost their mind. It was a bit embarassing and pathetic really - but it was all they had at that point (the objective at 4-1 was not really clear at that point). I don't think it will have any effect on this game at all. The objective of this game is very clear. You have to win which will require a harder working fore-check, an agressive defense that will take a few chances, and a goalie who will stop a few shots when that style creates a few turn-overs. I think the other non-sense is behind them now. I predict a win.
When a guy hasn't played for 6-8 weeks like Huet and then suddenly gets thrown into the Finals against the Wings it is pretty tough to expect him to show his best. Maybe he'll surprise or maybe the team will understand that a goaltender that is so rusty needs major defensive help and they'll make that their number one focus the rest of the series and help him out. Or maybe they'll get blown out again 6-1. It is really tough to predict what will happen tonight but either way next season will be the true audition for Huet.....and probably Crawford.
As far as tonight goes if we see another 50-60 minutes in penalties against the Hawks it will be a repeat result of Sunday. I hope the team and coaching staff has regained its senses and focus after that debacle in game four. No odd man breaks tonight.....none. Zero. Less than one. If that means they resemble the Wild, bore everyone to death and win 1-0 in triple OT then that's what it means.
Does anyone think Huet is auditioning for his job tonight? I realize that's a bit of a stretch considering the guy is signed for a couple more years but don't you think the brass will be looking down tonight saying "if this is our guy for the next couple years, tonight is the night he shows us he's worth the money".
Personally, I'd much rather have the troops rally around Crawford or Niemi next year and give Huet to anyone who'll take him.
As for Havlat, I've got to wonder what the brass is thinking about his durability. He did have a solid year this year and definitely played much better (but remember it was a contract year). The rest of Havlat's time was not good at all and injury filled. No doubt the guy is a gamebreaker when healthy but you've got to question his durability.
All of these questions should make for some great discussion at the convention. Wish I was going to that... Maybe I still will!!! I'd love to have Probie sign my #24 jersey!
Got my fingers crossed for tonight that they can get it back to Chicago.
GO HAWKS!!!
No way i let Sieve-ay play....put Crawford in....the defense corps will work hard to protect this kid and he has enough talent to maybe steal one. Blew-ay's got zero confidence right now...so how can we let this loser play when we are in a lose and go home situation?
Fraser's been a good Marine....but c'mon...odds are Fraser won't bring much to the table in a game like this...we need an injection of energy and Beach can bring that. Play him sparingly on the 4th line with Eager and Burish and tell him to stay out of the box at all costs. The only question right now with Kyle.....what kind of game shape is he in?
Please....someone tell Kane and Campbell to stop f'n around with the biscuit on the rush....GET IT F'N DEEP....stop trying to dipsy doodle at the line all the time risking both offsides and odd number rushes...even a players with Billy Barty IQ's know this and these two continue to do this game in and out. Worse...our coaching staff hasn't gotten them to correct this serious flaw.
Huet took a lot of heat...and deservedly so for his PATHETIC performance in game 4...but Campbell was AWFUL TOO. Out to lunch on the 1-0 shorty....nowhere to be found on the 4-1 goal....letting Hossa walk right in on our paper mache tender. 51 has been nothing short of utter sh*te in this series.
There are a lot of Tallon critics on this board and i don't blame them. I'm one myself. But i know this guy bleeds Tomahawk and i'm always willing to throw these types a lifeline when the proverbial ship is sinking. Our proud franchise has enjoyed a renaissance this season that all of us have been yearning for for 15 plus years and DT has done a lot to make this happen. However, he might as well have tied cement shoes to the Indian with the stupido contracts he handed the two massive liabilities wearing the respective sweater numbers 51 and 39. For this....he should be reassigned.
ANYONE out of shape -- as in no game action for over two weeks -- is going to hurt the team's chance to succeed. And it is maybe longer than that for Beech and Fraser.
I like what points you make, regkerr, but it is over soon, most likely scenario is one game left. Remember (and find out) whom (is it plural) that is responsible for bringing Huet and Campbell to town. They were supposed to help us, but as the season ends they are certainly hurting as much as helping us. I don't like having to count on them as regular starters next season. I also am not sure what we can expect in terms of consistency and smart performance from kids whom seem bent on doing things more often their way and not Quenneville's way. I'm talking about what we can expect from immature (but talented) Kane, Versteeg, and Bufuglien? Could one of them be traded? I think we need a couple of veterans, or someone who will yell or counsel the youngsters -- because they won't always listen to Queneville. They would sit and sit forever if Lindy Ruff, Hitchcock, or Andy Murray was coach. Of course, that would upset John McDonough.
Well, enjoy one or two more games, because there will be roster shuffling this summer league wide, maybe not a whole lot, but more than we usually see. Salary cap is the culprit. Stan Bowman coming aboard as GM? if so, when? We still have to sign Niemi, Hjalmarsson, and a whole lot of other guys. Someone like Chicohawk should look at projected salary request and amount of money available to sign everyone. Then we'll see what kind of summer we're in for. Personally, I think Khabby is a on and off again disabled list candidate next year wherever he plays and cmon' now, what incentive is there for anyone to take Huet or Campbell. Wisniewski better fit than Walker? Maybe in some ways, but Wisniewski himself is always turning up on the disabled list . I'd like to see a tough, mobile defenseman added even if it means Barker leaves. Barker is someone you have to project is he going to be good sometimes, and piss you off at other times.
no one will take Campbell at seven million a year. Wisniewski was going to be a RFA and they couldn't afford him with their cap problems already.
I like Barker but his skating needs to improve. He is a little slow and gets caught up ice pinching too often.
Tallon or whoever the GM will be has some personnel decisions to make. They have a big one in net. I watched Huet a lot when he was in Mtl. He was very inconsistent and let in too many soft goals. I was not happy when Tallon signed him to a long-term contract at those figures. Khabby wasn't a good sign over the term of his contract either (although he was good this year). He's not worth the risk of re-signing as he is older and injury prone.
Hawks may have to save some bucks and try one of the younsters from Rockford. I can't comment on either as I don't get to see any Rockford games.
HP...i've maintained since late February that this Chicago Black Hawks hockey team is a hard unit to beat 4 out of 7. Unfortunately...we beat ourselves in Game 2 (with Campbell's ingenius dexterity at the blue line) and then the refs f'kd us in Game 4. Some here say that is a ridiculous judgement....but there were some brutal calls made by the quiffs wearing black and white. Buff got an asinine offsetting penalty raising his voice after Holmstrom cross checked him and that call was worse than the phantom roughing call on Matt Walker. Then the double penalty that resulted in the 5 on 3 was bogus. It's hard enough to beat Detwat and the zebras too. But we stunk...no two ways around that either. But those were two games that should have had more favorable outcomes.
The kids you mention need far more discipline. Buff's been the best of the 3 game in and game out....Kaner's hattie in the clincher vs Van nothwithstanding. Versty's had his moments too but he makes some dumb plays (not getting it f'n deep, trying to beat three guys by himself) and takes some dumbass penalties so he's got a LOT to learn. Kane's quoted in another Chi paper today talking about how well the Wings backcheck and he marvels at this.....but he's easily the LAZIEST MOFO on the backcheck on this hockey team. I think the little twirp is in terrible shape. He's full of energy on the rush...but gassed on the backcheck. Coincidence? I think not.
I'd like Khabby back for two more years....trade, cut or release both Soupy and Blew-ay and cut the loss. What was DT smoking to commit to these two stooges for so long for so much? Barker needs a crash course in defense....he's a braindead idiot in his own zone and again i'm surprised our coaching staff hasn't thrashed this out of him after this whole year. He's not worth 4 million/year for the odd point shot tip or goal.
As for Wednesday.....i'm not waving a white towel and I KNOW the lads won't be either.
please! there's more talent in skille's big toe!
Normally I like your cynicism, but get off the Skille kool-aid. He's a gigantic bust. He BLOWS. Can't even get a point a game on a good AHL team.
Fraser might be half the athlete Skille is, but he probably has more hockey sense. And he'll do more to help you win games.
Jacukel, I agree that with you . Fraser is a fourth line center and did a decent job all year.
He's not going to replace the offense of Havlat so some of the others will have to up their game (ie: Kane, Toews, Sharp.....).
Like I said previously, I don't get to see Rockford games but I was hopeful that Skille was making progress in his game. Its sad to hear all the comments about his ability and that he probably is not a future impact player in the NHL.
1) Dale Tallon gets moved back to player development this summer ala Denis Savard switcheroo.
2) Scotty Junior gets moved to GM. There's only one reasons Scotty Sr is here and that's to get Jr situated. Sr has plenty of money, prestige and Cups.
3) It's Habby-la-Vista Nicky ala Patrick Roy in Montreal after letting management know what he thinks about being left in for 9 goals.
4) Stuck with Huet but will play others a LOT in search of a potential replacement. Hopefully they can rehabilitate Huet's trade value which is ZERO right now.
5) Soupy gets the cold shoulder treatment but stays - no one else will take him and his salary.
6) Havlat is a 50-50 bet. Hawks have yet to show him any love. Playing Sunday should dispel any criticism of his integrity (go to YouTube and type in Bobby Orr Pat Quinn for a little de ja vu all over again - Orr did not skate the next game).
Pretty good predictions and observations, my friend.
I think Tallon is a scout at heart (and actually a damn good one) and nothing more.
Bulin is GONE.
I have no problem at all with Marty Havlat's guts. Assuming his brain's OK, I hope to God we re-sign him.
I hope they are dead.
There going to let the Marty Halvat "will decide his own health" show continue again.
I just want the guys who are playing to actually play their best and not look back from the drop to the final horn.
I want to lose the bad taste the team left by their childish display on Sunday.
Just as long as Buff doesn't think he can rely on Taser to do the dirty work to get HIM the puck. It needs to be the other way around with Buff going balls off to get the puck to the other two.
Lighten up on Havlat and Buff. Geez.
There are a lot of guys who've laid gigantic eggs of crap in this series: Kane, Seabrook, Versteeg . . .
Brian Campbell is clearly one of the best puck carriers in the league.
Never was a great shooter, or physical force. But ask him to hold on to the puck when his team badly needs the four other guys to run to the bench and who does the coach depend upon time after time?
Yup.
Maybe another partner will help to clam the fan outburst,but if you were expectig Bobby prr, you didn't know much about his game to begin with.
He is what he is, and I contend having as many good rushing defenseman you can makes you a better team. They are a btter team, aren't they?
He isn't the straw that broke the Cap bank here.
It doesn;t take much to see where the Cap issues were handcuffed.
It seems a little pointless to put emphasis on him as the under-achiever. Maybe DT though he was getting more of PP guy than he ever really was, but restart the season with him NOT on the Blue Line, and I am pretty sure they don't get as high apercentage of puck possession, they don't gain confidence up front through sustained attacks, and they don't have that big win streak.
If you find ANY part of my last statement true, you have spend less time looking for faults in his game. Every home boo of a hawk player just makes that guy more tentative. I don't expect the players to have a country club atmosphere, but home boo-birds don't help the on-ice product improve.
Maybe finding campbell a partner, less stiff than Walker can make a better suited defensive pairing so there is a Keith-Seabrook sort of balance, where he isn't having to be liable to help out Hjalmarsson or Walker, or Barker through their plights.
Also curious why that Ecklund thinks the Hawks want Thomas Pock, who is weak defensively. I just don't know what / who is filling his head or is it just another case of imaginary tales, his entire listings of what free agents "might" end up where? Senseless.
Hawks need to keep their composure. Seems to me it's a sign of how tight this group is. Maybe they will draw straws to figure who will get the 2-5-10 penalty?
If (when??) French Fry starts letting in softies, then we may see a repeat of last game. But we can only hope it does not come to that. I personally would like to see one of the kids tend the net - what is to lose?
Swiss: your comment about one of the eurowing posters is dead on. Look at Imrem's column and the comments. Laughable.
Then Fraser is in the lineup, Tim?
If that's the case, then the above line combos will probably be juggled by Q-ville....or just roll 3 lines? I hope Versteeg has learned his lesson from Sunday....and we can pull this one out.