Eager's concussion confirmed
Posted by TimS on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 16:27
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville confirmed what was reported here last week, that left winger Ben Eager has a concussion.
Eager, who has a history of concussions, remains sidelined indefinitely.
"Ben's got some symptoms that are typically related to concussions and he's not ready to go," Quenneville said Monday.
This is not good news for the Hawks, who got big-time production and energy from the fourth line last season, but now Eager is out, possibly long-term, and Adam Burish is likely out for the season.
For now it will be Colin Fraser trying to find similiar chemistry on the fourth line with Tomas Kopecky and Jack Skille, who was recalled from Rockford on Monday.
Peace to you too JJ. I apologize for going overboard and would like to take back all the bad things I said. I realize that we are entitled to our opinions here. Many times I take things personal especially when defending my players like Khabby, Ladd, Skille and end up losing control. Even if I knew you personally I think we would have a lot of fun and a few interesting disagreements once in awhile but I would still respect you because I do agree with you most of the time. Keep up the good work JJ. To be honest I am a diehard Flyers fan but the Hawks have always been special as long as I can remember going back as far as the Hull brothers, even remembering that Dennis could shoot harder than Bobby. Tony O Esposito is one of my favourite goaltenders of all time along with Eddie Belfour. I even remember the great Glen Hall. Also the Hawks have the best colors and logo in the NHL and alway have. I have several Hawk jackets, jerseys and tshirts. Talk to ya later and hope you accept my sincere appologies.
Joe Greif, Campbell RIver, B.C. Yes Canada
Seeing as Crawford is clearly out of the goalie rotation in Chicago, shouldn't Stan be looking to trade him? I still think he could be a very capable goalie in the NHL but we it won't be here. We should get something for him while we can. I know he went through waivers and didn't get claimed. That was before he year started and teams got a true look at their goalies under fire. Possibly a team like Florida could be thinking they want someone younger then Vokoun and Clemmenson. Could possible use Crawford to unload a salary like Sopel (Sopel and Crawford for Leopold). We have Richards, Palmer, and Fallon still in the minors so having Crawford in Rockford might be limiting one of those players' development. Not saying Leopold is great or that I even hope we get him but he is just a player with a higher salary on their team that we could take and use similar to Sopel. Just a thought...
Skille has some ability but his intentions and past history (at Rockford, at least) illustrates that he has to learn to use teamates more than he has. Skille is an offensive goal scorer bereft of enough ability to play on a top NHL line. He may MAY (emphasis added) be able to fill Eager's spot on the fourth line. He should concentrate on doing just that, and hope he can slide up onto other lines occasionally and provide a contribution in various ways (emphasis various). This is what Eager does and it is Skille's best path. Ultimately I expect him to fail, but I'll watch and see how it turns out.
Huet is apparently becoming a scapegoat, if you judge by call in on post game Blackhawks coverage and even to some extent on this blog site. To be fair, two of the three goals against him were from ten feet out. He was said to be having trouble stopping pucks in pre-game,too! He does have some flaws and it is virtually certain we will have to live with them at least until the trade deadline, if not longer. You know the reason why: salary cap. Say what you will about him, but he is capable of obtaining fair results. I know, however, it drives us crazy when he makes 10 sensational stops, then lets in a softie or waves at pucks, lets in too many over shoulder or through five hole. Remember, however, he was judged good enough in Montreal and Washington to be on an NHL roster. If you think Niemi will be consistent as a starter, I say you are wrong. Not this year. Yeah, he has good athleticism, but his ride will be rocky as he is a young goalie (even at age 26) and like most young goalies he will have his good and bad stretches. And yes, I do believe he is the team's best hope in net for the future (barring any trades).
Want to look at goalies available. I haven't yet looked closely, but obviously I notice Fernandez sitting and Raask playing ahead of Thomas (inj ?) in Boston. What will happen in Atl --crowded three way batttle once Lehntonen is healthy? In order to obtain a goalie better than Huet and stay within salary cap: that's tough to imagine. Who do you trade? Sharp or Versteeg (hope someone takes Barker)? As I've said before, while I can see good and bad in Barker's game, just whom replaces him..and whom replaces his muscle ...which he sometimes supplies more than others (aside from Seabrook)?
Tell you what is my concern besides this stuff and preferance for a tough defenseman to be added...is that Bolland has a bad back issue and is it going to be an on and off again issue..for a well paid #2 center. I won't even get into the issue of whether Hossa will disappear at key times..but if you address that concern, please be aware that he played at less than 100% (inj) all last year. I do believe he is capable of providing scoring in the playoffs. And I am so glad we now have net presence (Buf/Kopecky/Brouwer/Toewes/Ladd).
I do think the team will not have a big problem with Kane's maturity. I believe myself and others in the past make too much ado over it...look, he has the talent, he's going to play because that trumps everything else. Question may be after this season, if someone goes in a trade, Kane to Buffalo looks like a natural move, except a player you'd want in return (Vanak) makes even more $$$. I do like Stafford's upside, but not for a Kane.
When all is said and done this season, have to wonder if Quenneville is able to eventually get this team to be mentally prepared often enough. Only so much a coach can do. Ruff and A Murray/Hitchcock aside, most teams eventaully tune out the coach if that coach is too nagging and too demanding -- it's a tough job being a successful NHL head coach.
Hopefully this season they won't surrender/let get away too many points as to miss the playoffs. It is correct that the league is well balanced, and it is not easy to gain a point if you aren't prepared mentally each night. Don't expect to win much like we did last night. We really need help on the checking line with both Eager and Burrish out. Skille is not likely the answer/Dowell may help somewhat/would like to see the skilled, good size, good skating Brophey get a look. About Calgary: lots of money tied up on their blueline: maybe a Sarich gets dealt for an upgrade at a forward position? SJ & Calgary are really under intense pressure to do well in playoffs: it will be a really tough road to hoe for Blackhawks this season, particularly if Bolland is in and out of lineup, and or a Seabrook/Keith/even Hjalmaarsson goes down for a lengthy period-of-time.
I really enjoy jacukel and chico posting. I find it silly that the DH has to resort to this rating game, and even sillier that people rated me minus 4 threshhold. Just goes to show that some people can't keep their emotion in check. I have never and won't ever give a rating point out! i TRY TO NOT RESPOND TO NAME CALLING. yOU'RE A BIGGER PERSON IF YOU JUST IGNORE IT. tHREE CHEERS FOR jacukel when he offers peace and such at end of posts. Wondering/plan to watch how Karlson rookie panning out in Calg. Chico I do think Toronto is better this year depite their record so far. And Bruins are about the same team as last year they should turn it around. Rangers impressive so far and using two rookies on blueline.
I am not a regular reader of these posts but did enjoy reading all the opinions and all the passion coming from everyone. As a big fan like all of you and a Season ticket holder, my biggest concern is exactly what many of you are concerned about and that is Huet. I do not think he is terrible but he is certainly not a guy you can get to the promise land with. I always read about the ones that are not his fault but those are the ones, on occassion, he needs to make to cover for poor play in front of him. Stop one of the ones last night that was not his fault but needed a big save effort...That coupled with way too many soft goals and a UC crowd that is NOT behind him and it will be a struggle in net unless he gets hot. as for the discussion about Tallon, I will tell you that whoever said McDonough was behind Campbell is right because I know a close Cubs source who said that McDonough absolutely got involved in the Soriano deal and upped the money and years to make sure he was signed on day one and that was over the objections of Jim Hendry. But Tallon paid for many mistakes that now have them in a tough salary spot. Forget the RFA stuff, McDonough wanted him out since day 1 and it was only a matter of time. The Huet signing in general was horrible with Khabby having 1 year left. The excuse that they saw no good free agents coming the following offseason is just plain stupid...They could have resigned Khabby for 2 years and 10 million or possibly 1 year and 6.5 and not be tied to this terrible deal. In any event they are certainly fun to watch, really talented and do not even have Hossa or Johnny T clicking yet...Should be interesting to say the least.
Finally!!1
Now can we move past the Dale Tallon witch hunt and understand that he's not the ONLY one who is responsibe for the cap situation.
It's been my contention that McDonough played a large part in the Campbell and Soriano signing. I posted the question about McDonough's involvement on the Cubs blog and the answer I got was that McDonough and Crane Kenny "certainly had a hand in overpaying for Soriano" and "left up to Hendry he probably would have signed him for six years"
That is what you said in your post as well. Maybe Tallon wasn't the only one blame for the cap issues after all.
You are certainly right about that. I do not claim to have massive inside ties to the organization but certainly do know people who are in the know. Those people talked of a very poor relationship between Tallon and Mcdonough from the start. Mcdonough certainly knows how to grab headlines and make a splash and those 2 signings are a direct result. I actually like Campbell and take him for the player he is and think he brings a lot to the table. The issue when he is playing with Barker is they are both focused a ton on the offensive zone and it occasionally leads to issues in our own end. The Campbell signing was amazing when it happened and I was sure stoked to hear about it and lead to further momentum of the Hawks being back on the map. McDonough did that and it may have been spot on at that time. Now that others have developed so fast it just sticks out as a salary issue more than anything. But everyone should understand that both Bowman's, McDonough and Tallon all share in the responsibility of the challenge they will face next year. Lets give Dale credit for TRULY loving the Hawks, stealing Patrick Sharp, trading for Versteeg and many other positives during his tenure....And I ripped him earlier for the Huet signing and I stand by that but if you listen to Blackhawks Podcast on the team site you can clearly listen to Stan Bowman talking about it and defending it 100% last year. We will soon see what he is made of but I am honestly going to puke if Sharp has to be traded as I think he is the heart and soul of that team and would be a HUGE HUGE loss in that room. In any event we can all be thrilled that our boys are certainly relevant again, drawing 20K on a Monday night in October and just made the biggest comeback in team history....Long way from the pre-season game I went to 2 years ago where I think I knew just about everyone in the building!!! And yes I will show Khabby some love tomorrow night but I hope we bang hm for 5/6 goals.
You are dead on when it comes to Huet. A big stop here or there will motivate the team even further and allow for them to continue their aggressive forecheck/nuetral zone passing. Time will tell what happens with Huet. The soft goals are becoming unbearable. Again, I hope Toews gets on the scoresheet soon. Zero points thus far. I do like the fact he threw his weight around last night.
Bleed Cubbie Blue. Yeah, I know it's about the "CUBS", but there you can't say something without someone stepping on their soap box and crying about it or pointing their self-righteous fingers.
Please guys, come on...please don't let it happen here too.
Can everybody who's been ragging on other poster's opinions please stop? Everybody's entitled to an opinion, and it's fine to disagree, but the constant yapping needs to stop. It takes up way too much room on the blog, and wastes a lot of time. Does anyone who read the umpteen point-counterpoint posts think that any of the debaters changed their opinions based on the banter? I doubt it, but we all get to share in their misery while they sword fight(no offense). Come on people, stop the attacks!!
Why would we waste time wondering and worrying about Kane's personality? We don't know what he said to Buff, either after he scored or after he set Buff up for his score. He made the difference last night and as fans, why should we worry about anything else? If his teammates have a problem with him I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities during the season for them to work things out.
Although I personally find it very erotic that E Runs has so much interest in my lack of knowledge and the bigger than life soapbox I have been about this team and hockey since I was a teenager, I think that the large amount of attacks upon posters here has to stop so we don't lose the contributors.
It is an opinion we state right?
You can remark as to your agreement or disagreement on the ISSUE, but I don't think Jacukel or any of us can gain more insight from each other.
This is was never a contest.
It seems like John been getting hit for his opinions, because some want to take him down a notch.
Why? Is it because he has a website blog, and who does he think he, is an expert? So out come the chipping away at his thoughts to find holes, and is that done TO DISCREDIT HIM?
I am starting to think that is where a lot of the blog negativity comes from.
Yeah, so i believe something about the drafts...you don't. Eventually there will be a result.
The same goes with John and the Huet debate.
You cannot discredit Jacukel to me because he had the guts to take a position.
and anyone can debate the point, but to think that regular blogsite posters are talking about not frequenting this site because they don't want to stream through, me defending myself, or John having to constantly restate his opinion while taking personal hits, well, it is a pretty sad state of Hawk Fan affairs.
I enjoy this blog, and don't want to cause a stir here, and will to whatever is necessary in print to rectify any part of this debacle I may have caused.
I think we all should, for the sake of the Hawk team fandom and our mutual love for the team and game.
Well said Wiz. The good thing about the blog is reading all the different opinions and gaining a different perspective on things. We all don't have to agree on everything or know every stat in the book and that's ok. The last thing this blog should become is some b...hfest with everyone being critical of each others opinions and insights. We should all be happy we finally have a team worth talking about and getting excited about.
Jacukel will have more insight as time goes on as he has credentials for the United Center, meaning he is tied in much more than most of the rest of the posters. You may not agree with him, as I don't with regards to Huet, but he has access to information that most of the rest of us do not have. The hardest thing he will have to learn is how to express what he cannot say to protect his UC access, politics being what it is, but his opinion in the future should carry a little more weight than just some guy on a barstool. I actually look forward to his posts. This stuff is fun, let's keep it that way.
I'm momentarily breaking my vow of silence over here to clarify this one thing. Presently, I don't have UC creds. Working on it. But thanks.
For the Patrick Kane lovers hold your fire for a moment. This post is not about Kane, instead it is about the people responsible for his development.
By any account Kane is super talented but arguably immature and self-centered.
So, why doesn't someone - anyone - take Kane aside and point out some things to him? For instance, he scores a goal and turns away from the net to celebrate - the camera shows him repeated looking up at the score board to admire himself. Perhaps he should have gone directly to Buff who was getting the crap knocked out of him in front of the net? Perhaps he should be reminded that an assist carries the same weight as a goal because that goal doesn't happen without Buff creating a screen.
While they're at it, maybe someone should show him film of how stupid he looks with that pacifier dangling from his mouth.
Sure, he's young, naive, etc.... But who's going to take him aside and show him how grown ups conduct themselves?
You can get yourself in trouble if you start expecting guys to be who and what they aren't. Walter Payton did things his way because that is who he was. Kane does not have Payton's or anyone else's personality and will do things his way because he is a very emotional player and obviously gets very excited about scoring goals and winning.
Neither method is wrong and you can win it all with both types of guys. And if the Hawks win it all anytime soon there is little doubt about 88 being a huge part of it. They simply do not win the game last night without him.
Yes, emotion is good. That's why you give people their props.
Nothing makes a person work harder and endure more than when they are motivated by emotion.
My point was that Kane should share the limelight with the others that make things happen. It will make them want to do it more. It makes EVERYONE more successful, including Kane.
When Walter Payton would score a touchdown he would simply hand the ball to a lineman to spike. No Lambeau Leap. No Iggy Shuffle. No pulling out a Sharpie.
When Payton won the rushing title he bought the entire offensive line Rolex watches.
As great as Walter Payton was he knew how important his teammates were in his success. He was smart enough to make sure they got their props.
That is what is missing with Kane and someone needs to impress that upon him.
send that POS fraser down and bring up dowell. at least dowell HITS.
Steve, Wiz, hockeypuck, others, I'm outa here for a while. You know where to find me. (Apparently Chico does, too!) :)
my two cents:
1. Barker REALLY REALLY needs to keep his head on straight, especially because he plays with Sopel, who is sound but SLOW. Barker started that 5 goal avalanche.
2. Huet was not good, and Niemi's goals against were much worse HOWEVER, Huet didn't do what a #1 does which is bail guys like Barker and a pinching Duncan Keith out when the wheels fall off.
I'll give some credit to Niemi after two HORRENDOUS goals he was able to hang in there and make some important stops.
Goaltending will be an issue all year.
3. I am loving the John Madden signing. He never quits and always makes the smart play. Same can be said about Hjalmarsson.
On 1, 2 and 3. And to the extent that I'm responsible for the arguing, sorry.
Anyone else catch Bettman's comments about the revenues for 2010? Saying that season ticket renewals were at least equal to last year, and supposedly the cap will at least STAY the same or go up?
I'll let the number crunching begin.......
I tuned in midway through the 1st and when i saw the 5-0 score line i wanted to kick my t.v. set in. When i heard Huet had been yanked....i wanted to heave. He's shite and has to go.....Bowman must get creative and change the goaltending landscape ASAP. We simply can't go with two 'goalies' who thrive on going to their knees as soon as the puck is dropped and who are intent on looking for a cigar and a beard. No way...the Hawks need a hybrid stand up/butterfly tender and i know they at a premium.....but no way do we win long term with Blew-ay.
Bottom line....our lads DOMINATED THE CONTEST for the last 50 minutes of regulation. Way to go boyz for staying cohesive and staying determined. UNBELIEVEABLE. And credit to Niemi for some big stops especially the leather larceny on Jokinen late in the first. If he scores there...it's 6-cob.
Everybody played great to see the comeback through. Campbell with a couple stupido blind backhand passes in the neutral zone in the 3rd....but he is, was and will always be a dumba**.....so what are ya gonna do.
Bottom line: Biggest comeback in team history.....can't beat that.
Way to go lads !!!!! Don't let down vs Edmonton
P.S. John Madden is the best pickup we've had in a LONG TIME.
That was the greatest comeback I have ever seen. Granted they should never have been down like that, but it was unbelievable. Showed great heart not to give up and come back. The Flames looked like they totally got psyched out. Quinnville deserves some credit for keeping them in the game and righting the ship.
There is a time to fight, and a time not to fight. When you have a team on the run, and their captain decides to drop the gloves.....Troy Brouwer should not do it. You can't gain anything there, but the Flames can gain a ton with their captain stepping up. Plus he LOST the fight!!!!!
Just a stupid move by Brouwer, that a veteran needs to explain to him after the game.
Steve,
Brouwer got Iginla off the ice for 5 minutes when the Flames needed him.
I said the same thing you said immediately when Iginla dropped the gloves and helmet. Exact same thing.
Then I thought about it after Iginla won the fight......yeah, he may have fired up his team, but he is their best player and can do no harm from the penalty box.
Maybe Brouwer is not so dense after all.
I agree with you. I thought the timing was bad. Inginla was obviously trying to change the momentum. Fortunately it didn't hurt the Hawks and as jacukel pointed out I'd trade Brouwer for Inginla any day. Great comeback for the Hawks. Yes they do have some issues to work out but the one thing that they still have is heart. It would have been easy to pack it in after the first period. The only thing that would have made this better is if that toolbox Pierre McGuire was working this game watching his beloved Canadian team blow a five goal lead.
For those of you who travel like me:
www.atdhe.net
You usually get a Canadian feed, which tonight was a Flames PPV telecast. Not bad. They interviewed Aaron Johnson in the 3rd.
I'm sure I'll get Pierre on Wednesday, when he's breaking out his knee pads for Roberto and the Canucks. God help me.
The BEST thing: Tara McCool (HELLO!)
Also, I liked the Flames announcers. Good analysis and pretty unbiased.
Brouwer is the one guy out there showing some heart. And I'll take Iggy off the ice vs. Brouwer.
This comeback is great, but this team has some serious problems. Not just Huet, though I will grant you, he has not delivered as a #1 should. The team was ASLEEP at the start of the game.
The Toews-Versteeg-Sharp line is NOT working. Brouwer should be with Toews. Toews has to work too hard physically with the Smurfs on his wings.
This team is supposed to be contending for a Stanley Cup. Showing up with that kind of effort is not acceptable. Say what you want about Huet (and Niemi's first two goals), this team is not mentally right. And Quenneville should be on notice. HORRIBLE.
Not on Brouwer. I stand behind it. I have no problem with him fighting, but if he's going to fight where was he when it was 5-0? 5-1? or even 5-2? You don't drop your gloves when your team has rallied back from a 5 goal deficit and has all the momentum. You have nothing to gain by it. Yes, it takes Mr. Iginla off the ice, but it could have and should have given Calgary back the momentum. Iginla did that for the sole purpose of trying to egnite his team.
Buff was a beast tonight. This is the HUGE difference between him and Brouwer. You can't move Buff, and he has some skill. Brouwer just runs around and hits people, which serves a purpose, just not a top 6 line. Can't keep waiting for a guy who scored 35 in the AHL to finally find it at the NHL level. He may never be that guy. However, he can be a very good 4th line energy guy.
I do agree on your thoughts regarding the approach to these games. The Hawks look unengaged and unmotivated. They came out very flat vs Colorado which you could say was due to the pregame. Tonight? Vs Calgary on national TV? No excuses. Eerily similar to those eggs they laid against Colorado and the Islanders at home in March of last year. They really need to start fast, especially at home and catch these teams on their heels.
It's a huge win, but this team needs to get it right. They showed the Detroit gear tonight, which I was waiting for. Just turning it on and absolutely dominating a team with pure skill. however, they aren't going to score 4 every night, and that seems to be the magic number for them to win.
Cam Barker with a horrible turnover, but Huet and Niemi both let in some very questionable goals. They really need to sure up their own end, and have some goalie start to make big saves. You can't rely on offense every night.
And what the hell is going on with the power play? THey are all standing around and trying to blast shots from the point? A team with this much skill should be over creating instead of using a very vanilla power play. Torch or Haviland better fix that quickly......It's going to start costing them games really soon.....
This team has some of the best talent in the league up front but no way they even have a remote shot at the playoffs with Huet saving 80% of the shots he faces. I'm not talking about making a run in the playoffs, I'm talking about even a shot at the #9 or #10 spot in the division. Hawks made the playoffs by winning 8 more games than the #9 seed in the West last year. That means you have a margin of error to blow about a game or two per month over a 6 month season if you want to make the playoffs. Teams like Calgary, St. Louis and Colorado are much improved making those games even tougher. Most other teams could pick up a vet to fix this problem, but not the Hawks thanks to the complete f**** up cap management by Dale Tallon.
Huet was bad. But if you think HE is the problem tonight, you need to seriously adjust your picture. This team did NOT show up. HORRID coverage on the second two goals. And Niemi's first two goals were soft as Crisco.
Huet might be a big part of the problem. But all of you Huet haters need to wake up and realize, there are a lot more problems.
You couldn't be more right. Forget the goaltending, if the defense doesn't show up, the goaltenders don't even factor into it.
The hawks played a run & gun style all of last year, relying on strong goaltending to play that way, because their D (see campbell) were given the green light to take chances. as a result, they are also going to give up good chances.
your goaltending better come up with big saves at key points or you are going to let the air out of the high octane offense pretty fast & they aren't going to adjust quickly or easily to a tight checking style that better supports a goalie who needs his teammates to play that way to win.
Huet is running out of time to prove he has what it takes to play for a team that plays like the hawks & has high expectations. Niemi meanwhile seems to have settled down after letting in the big softie that could have killed the hawks.
the way they have responded tonight, it looks to me like these players are showing they prefer playing in front of niemi rather than huet & coach Q confirmed that by sticking with Niemi to start the 2nd instead of coming back with Huet.
The Hawks are GREAT!!! "A team that plays like this". God, John McDonough must love you: "Tallon screwed up and everything else is great once we get rid of the Frenchman."
I don't disagree that Huet, when/if he gets a chance again, needs to play MUCH better. But my God, please don't give the rest of this team a free pass for that effort. And if you want to blame Huet for that pathetic display, I have a bridge I want to sell you, bud.
& trying to discredit those who don't agree with you, you might actually see in many of my posts some of the other problems I've pointed out - like with the 5on3 pp in game 1 vs fla (long before you latched on to that, fwiw) -
i've never been sold on barker & called for his being dealt shortly after seeing him in action his 1st year & taken a ton of "heat" from those Tallon draft choice lovers, like yourself perhaps.
I ripped Sopel's contract when Tallon extended - again taking "heat" from those enthralled with his play his first year in chicago...I ripped Campbell's contract when Tallon signed him...
so please stop trying to suggest you suddenly monopolized insight into the hawks problems (when it appears to me you just get your ideas from other posters here & elsewhere).
I do believe you have a bridge to sell...unfortunately it leads to the same place where Huet is headed, i.e. nowhere.
Where do I suggest I monopolized anything?
My issue is with your assertions/implications that Huet is somehow responsible for the absolutely horrid play in front of him in the first period (his own poor play), and secondarily, that Tallon is to blame for everything. I think it was RIGHT to pull Huet, and I think it's RIGHT to ride Niemi for a while. And I don't doubt you make other wise assertions. I've agreed with you in the past.
Listen, bud. YOU threw out the "you don't get it" personal b.s. in the subject line of a post first. And I've seen you go there with others here before. I may disagree strenuously with others here and elsewhere, but it doesn't get personal with me until someone else makes it so. You DID. See subject line above.
And I have no agenda other than talking hockey. Why don't you be more clear about what you think my real agenda is so I can respond to it? And how I spend my time, BTW, is my business. Who are you, my wife? Jeez!
BTW, your theory that the number of times one posts here undermines their credibility is a tough one to understand. But whatever. Peace and God Bless.
I find that those who throw the "you don't get it" don't get it.
Check yourself first, pallie. Like, keeping your response to this intelligible and slightly less long than the first Five Books of the Old Testament.
All I'm saying is, it isn't just about the goaltending. If you think so, enjoy your One Goal commercials and your golf game in May along with the Hawks.
Barker in his own end?! Hello?! Campbell?! Defensive zone coverage?! Sharp on the point on the PP (I love Sharp, but WHAT is Q thinking?!)
Peace.
the real value of a poster's contributions is inversely proportional to the number of posts made.
You seem to want to suggest that you have the inside track on the hawks other problems like barker & campbell (I guess it is part & parcel with trying to appear knowledgeable & balanced to drive more hits on your own blog?)
You might say more by posting less & giving that a try...
but then again, I don't think that is your objective here.
Do you honestly think that Tallon was responsible on his own? Come on....Little Bowman has been in charge of giving Tallon a number to spend each year, and was/is the "numbers guy".
I don't discount that the cap is a huge issue, but don't think this was Tallon alone.
when the hawks signed Khabi, Aucoin, Lapointe, (Barnaby, Brown), Cullimore, Lang & Campbell & Huet??? how about sopel, byfuglien, sharp & barker, versteeg, etc.????
you can implicate Stan the cap guy all you want, but Scotty didn't arrive (& Stan's coincident ascendancy didn't happen) on the hawk scene until after Campbell & Huet were signed, so those signings have Tallon written all over them.
recall that good ole Dale was under a lot of pressure to make the playoffs last year or he wouldn't be around long enough to worry about any cap issues, so his signing Campbell & Huet not only made sense from that perspective, but also fit in nicely with McD's plans to make a splash for the first ever hawk convention & season ticket drive, endearing Tallon to the new hawk president and helping to fend off any objections that Stanley may have raised to those particular signings at the time.
the hossa signing was the final straw - screwing up the hawks cap room & putting at risk their chance of re-signing the big 3 RFAs - was Stanley junior responsible for signing Hossa over Tallon's objections??? I doubt that very much, but it could very well have been the other way around. McD might have been on Tallon's side to make another big splash with Hossa, until Scotty (& Stan) talked some sense (& cents) into McD, & somehow the QO offers then don't go out & Tallon takes the fall....
Bowman has his work cut out for him & we'll see how he does, but the bloated contracts & cap mismanagement is 95% on Tallon.
Tallon made his share of mistakes no doubt but I have trouble buying that he acted alone on these signings without approval from upstairs. If you follow the Cubs the Campbell signing is all to similar to the Cubs signing Soriano to that albatross of a contract. The Cubs president at that time was none other than John McD trying to make a big splash and show the fanbase they were serious about winning which I believe was the driving force with the Campbell and possibly Huet signings. My hope is that John McD stays out of the hockey side and let Bowman do his job and build a cup contender. Hawks fans are not like Cub fans( in loyalty they are) but Hawk fans are not going to fill the UC as Cub fans fill Wrigley to watch bad teams. Marketing will only get them so far.
I wasn't defending Tallon, but again, he can't be the scape goat for everything.
Barnaby, Brown, and Cullimore all were signed when the post lockout era began .Nobody knew it would be an offensive explosion. He signed guys who could take the body and were somewhat successful prelockout NHL. He learned quickly and bought out or traded all of them.
I was at the game in 05 vs Detroit in December when the Hawks blew a 2-0 with a minute to go, and then gave up an OT goal with 0.1 left.
I don't know.....Seems like a lot people choose to look at Tallon only, and turn a cheek when it comes to McEgo and Bowman(s). I don't know if that's Uncle Barry's doing with his non stop attack of guys who leave (where is the future HOF Trent Yawney by the way?), but you have to admit that Bowman and his numbers are a HUGE factor in this. Bowman is the numbers guy. Bowman is the guy who is supposed to look after the cap and save money for upcoming RFAs.
He has a large part to do with this. Now he's going to rely on Daddy's input to trade the right guys who are overpaid and replaceable to get out of this mess. This will be the key to if this team can sustain success. If they trade the right guys, get prospects, and plug guys who can do the job....they'll be fine. However, if they overvalue and overy pay guys like...cough, cough....Dave Bolland, and he implodes........watch out.
for cap management & last time I checked, as GM, he had authority to overrule the cap guy's recommendation, if any, & make the final call and it just so happened that signing Campbell & Huet fit with Tallon's ambitions to make the playoffs & keep his job & also McD's goal to have something juicy to market.
If his autonomy was compromised at any point where he felt the team was going in the wrong direction & he really felt he was a good GM worthy of the title, he would have resigned & found another GM job elsewhere. the fact he agreed to a demotion to stay with the hawks tells me he has no GM ambitions & he realizes few teams would take a chance on a guy who can't manage a cap.
Unfortunately, McD has more say in on ice operations than any of you apparently are aware of. Everyone knows that McD had the QOs held back by JK, knowing that Tallon is and always has been a company guy, and would take the fall. McD was trying to find a way to get rid of him all year, and after the WCF, was frustrated he couldn't do it, so he found a way. At this point, nobody cares about that anymore. What you SHOULD care about, is how much meddling John McDonough is going to do with the on ice operations, and baby Bowman isn't strong enough to take him on if he's wrong. And please...don't say Rocky will step in. Rocky only cares that he's making money. Until that stops, Rocky will let McD do whatever he wants. Beanie babies and all. On a final note, I can't stand the new music they are playing.
"Everyone knows that McD had the QOs held back by JK" - I've seen this posted before, you mean McDonough intentionally did something that cost the Hawks a few million dollars, just to have an excuse to can Tallon? And a Wirtz would be okay with that? If you knew about that, wouldn't Wirtz?
chico is dead on about the Campbell and Huet signings, and I also have no doubt McDonough had a hand in it as far as it lined up with his marketing plans at that time. That's the danger with McDonough, he has a proven track record of maximizing profit while winning nothing. I don't know if Tallon had a whole lot to do with the Hossa signing, though, because how much pull did he really have for the time Bowman Sr. was there?
Who do you give credit to for the great "Run and gun" team that Huet alone is holding back: Tommy Ivan?
BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!