Bolland won't play vs. Avs
Posted by TimS on Fri, 11/06/2009 - 19:47
DENVER – No Dave Bolland Friday night against the Avs because of his nagging back problem that is starting to become a concern for the Blackhawks.
Winger Bryan Bickell was recalled from Rockford to join the lineup. Coach Joel Quenneville has the option of playing Tomas Kopecky, Patrick Sharp or Kris Versteeg at center in Bolland’s spot.
Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager are also out of the lineup again, but all signs point to a Monday return for both of them when Los Angeles comes to the United Center.
Antti Niemi starts in goal vs. the Avalanche for the first time since Oct. 21.
Kopecky is suffering some backlash because he was sold to fans under false pretences.
I agree with the poster who said Kopecky is what he is, and here is who Kopecky really is:
He's not a physical player in the sense that he strikes fear in the other team--he's never been that type of player. With the Wings he did hit a lot, but rarely fought, and many of those hits were the follow-through-on-the-forecheck variety with very few earth-shakers.
He was a fourth-line checker in Detroit, and he's a lunchpail guy here. The regulars on this blog may recall me writing this stuff the day they acquired Kopecky (as well as choice comment or two about his price tag).
Ask yourself this: when you heard that Kopecky was following Hossa over Lake Michigan, what was your initial reaction?
I'm thinking most fans didn't say, "wow, I hated that so-and-so when he played against the Hawks, what a difference he's going to make."
I'm thinking most fans reacted by saying "who?" with "huh?" as a close second.
Kopecky is a million-dollar checker and penalty killer.
Don't expect him to score much, and expect him to fight even less.
I like Kopecky myself....he's got good hands (though he didn't show them in the shootout last night) and he's a smooth skater who goes into traffic willingly.
Coach Q has used him A LOT in the last 2 games on the pp and he's done a pretty good Tomas Holmstrom impersonation. He was instrumental in one of the goals last night by providing a good screen in front of Anderson.
However, his pricetag is a little high and he's a team worst -7 so his critics have ample ammuntion.
Right now I think Bowman is basically in survival mode. It is tough to win without our best players. I don't think he wants to make a major move until he sees how Hossa and Eager come back. That is understandable but we also can't wait till the season is almost lost before we look at what can be done.
A couple of interesting points:
Bolland might need surgery on his back? This is incredibly stupid. How can management sign him to a 5 year deal knowing he had a bad back? They all said he played through it last year so this wasn't a surprise. You can't go forever playing through back pain, it is just impossible. I am not blaming exclusively Tallon on this either. This is the fault of everyone in the front office, Bowmans, McD, Rocky, and Tallon. Not a single one of them could speak up and say: "hey Bolland had a lot of back pain last year. Why don't we send him to a couple specialists to get it checked out before we give him a big contract?". If they did get him checked out and some doctor said it wasn't a big deal then either that doctor should be called in again or the Hawks training staff for not helping rehab and in fact making it worse. Want to talk about accountability, let's see it again.
I would like to see Dowell in for Fraser. Fraser always plays hard and gives everything he has. It's just unfortunate that it isn't very much. He is perfectly fine in the role he had last year in the playoffs, as the extra skater. He is just so darn slow that he can't really get in on the forecheck or on guys quick enough to be a physical player. Dowell is much faster and can do both things. I don't think Dowell brings much more then Fraser other then that speed but we have to make that change.
Along with Byfuglien, where has Brouwer's physical presence gone. He starter out drilling people. I really haven't seen him assert himself in quite a few games. Maybe teams are looking for him more now and he isn't fast enough to catch people. Not sure but we only have a few bigger players and whether they like it or not they have to play a certain way. Unless they really don't care about winning.
Ladd is a nice player and does things well. Should we be expecting a bit more out of him since he was the 4th overall pick? When we traded Ruutu for him it was because more was expected out of Ruutu being a high pick. I guess I would like to see more then a 3rd line player from Ladd. We can say they are different type players but Ruutu still plays a gritty game along with scoring (that slump aside the year we traded him). I'm not saying that I don't think Ladd is good or doesn't play hard, just I'd like to think there is more to his game. Why can't we put him on the pk or pp? He plays a checking line so you would think he can play d and almost all his goals come on rebounds with him standing in front of the net. Is Q underutilizing him and that is the problem?
Kopecky is a nice, solid player but nothing special. He is a nice fit on a 4th line and plays a safe game. An average guy but not someone who will win or lose you a game. No use getting too up or too down about him.
Interesting how the son/GM will tinker with the team. A good fine tune of grit and defence plus an enforcer will be key additions in season. So far the scraps he has picked up look like spare parts for Rockford and not NHL material.
Hope he finds us some good spare parts
The current GM looks too scared to do anything right now but dial up the bullpen and bring in stiffs.
I know were all hockey nuts guys, but lets settle down a little bit. Were only in the first quarter of the season still and people sound like there going to jump off a bridge. You would think the only way to please some, was to win every game. That ain't happening...we know. Lets just stop the doom and gloom until it is warranted...Every loss we have had except for the Vancouver game we've been in..Lets get healthy and then will see where were at.
This might seem like a strange question, but do you live in Columbus?
What are ya trying to say?
Grew up in Chicago 29 years, Massachusetts 9 years, Rhode Island 1 year, and now in New Jersey for the last 2 but never in Ohio... Season ticket holder from 1986-to 1993
Ah, the Golden Age of Roenick: good years to be a season ticket holder!
Welcome back to the tribe!
The most underrated Hawk ever....ever !!!
-Paid for by the Larmer for Hall of Fame Committee.
I think one thing we are all overlooking is that no one has stepped up and given the Hawks the production that Havlat gave them last year. That will be fixed when Hossa comes back. Now if we look at the Hawks record it not that bad considering the weak goaltending and the injuries to key players. Once they get Toews, Hossa and Bolland healthy along with Eager we should be in good shape even with the goalkeeping issues. I'm anxious to see what this team can do at full strength.
Didn't Havlat get on a roll in the second half of the season? I would love to hear what he did last year before and after the all-star break...
Nice job Moots to throw a little ice on the fire....i hear you. We're all Hawk nuts here and i know i live, eat and breathe the Hawks.
Even during the dark ages pre-Rocky Wirtz....my friends used to bust my stones all the time about how bad we were...all in fun of course. But i always told them....the teepee has been burning a long time...but i GUARANTEE YOU.....the Tomahawk will rise again...and we have.
Canesdad made some good points....specifically with Colin Fraser. I like Fraser. He gets a lot of his minimal skill...but Colin...do us a favor....
don't drop your gloves.....you'll only hurt the club.
Don't fear the reaper, Moots.
And don't be afraid of fans venting their frustrations and practicing their critical thinking skills.
It's cathartic.
If one has last year's expectations for the Hawks to simply make the playoffs and maybe steal a round or two, then there really is no cause for concern; however, if you think this team is a contender for the Cup...well, there is plenty cause for worry.
If the Hawks were a ship there'd be many gashes in the hull--goaltending, grit, focus, powerplay, injuries--and they be leakin' mightily.
Me? I think they're still a year away, so I don't fret much. I even think the money issue will work itself out.
Nevertheless, please forgive some fans' tendencies to point out naked emperors.
Trust me, they want the Hawks to win as much as you do.
I would imagine if you took a poll of penguins fans when they were getting their coach fired last year, and ask are you going to win the Stanley Cup. It wasn't a resounding YES...But the rest is history... It's early, don't loose to much sleep just yet...lol GO HAWKS
You know what?
Good point.
A team like San Jose seems to have all the right tools yet they can't get out of the second round
It's a crazy game, so I guess we'll see.
I'd feel a lot better if the Hawks had a goalie like Marc-Andre Fleury and a gritty supporting cast that included Staal, Kennedy, and Guerin, but whatever...
GO HAWKS!
They lost last night's game against Colo because they were beaten to pucks and outworked in the corners all night.
I felt sorry for Seabrook out there, the only guy that was hitting, protecting his goatender in the crease and being a physical presence.
Foley kept praising Fraser for tough, physical play - but outside of getting his butt kicked during the first shift of the game and generally getting pushed around by the entire Avalanche team for the rest of the night, I saw nothing other than a little yapping and whining to the refs by Fraser in between the multiple muggings he took. The Avs looked like they held a drawing to see who would get the opportunity to kick Fraser's butt next.
Once again, Versteeg was probably the best Hawk on the ice, along with Sharpie and Ladd. Steeger had two assists, lived in the corners, behind the net and in all the traffic spots (where many of the Hawks seem to be afraid to stay for very long), while also sticking up for teammates who were getting mugged all night long.
On the other side of the ledger, Big Puff plays like he is 5'2" and 125 pounds. Being big doesn't matter when you are lazy, unaggressive and play like you're waiting for your paycheck to arrive. Kopecky didn't show me much either, other than he can catch a pretty good beating without feeling the urge to protect himself or retaliate. I thought he was supposed to add toughness.
Bickle was literally invisible. Why not bring up Jake Dowell when it is pretty obvious to apparently every coach in the NHL -- except Quennville and/or Bowman -- that we are vulnerable to physical play.
Hopefully we get some of our concussed players back before we lose a few more to concussions because, based on what I saw last week, there will be more to come. Keep your head up Kane - you might be next on this very fast and very talented, but extremely soft and heartless Hawks team.
Dad,
I AGREE Versteeg had a good game last night. And if he plays that hard without making mistakes, I AGREE he is a terrific player. But you can't have it both ways. There have been many games when he gets a goal and makes 3-4 bonehead plays that cost the team, and you guys go after me for pointing it out. You're doing the same thing to Buff.
He's a forward, not a d-man. And he was dead tired when he got beat last night. I thought he was worse against Phoenix and pretty good last night. But overall, I'll take his effort most nights. And I'd keep him on the point on the PP, regardless of that one play.
Kopecky is what he is. The guy weighs 180 pounds soaking wet and he parks in front of the net and battles. He also has a fair amount more skill than most fourth liners in the league. What the he-- do you guys want?
Jac,
First of all, I like reading your posts because they are thoughtful and astute. You know your hockey.
But, as far as Versteeg goes, I'm not trying to have it two ways. My point is that this is a very timid, unemotional and often heartless Hawks team without the leadership of Toews and Eager and Burrish in the line-up. I can live with Versteeg's miscues, understanding that he is a young player, for all the badly-needed intangibles that he brings to the table night after night - passion, heart, determination, and courage to back up his teammates.
He will make fewer mistakes over time as he matures, but will probably keep the personal qualities that he was probably raised with and make him so much fun to watch.
Regarding Buff, I have been watching him since Day 1 and really want to like him because he is exactly what this team needs - a big guy that can instill a little respect into teams that generally have no respect for us physically. But, whether he is tired, or having a bad night, or is not really a D-man -- in my view he is a lazy player that does not give a consistent effort night after night. You never know what you are going to get from Buff from night to night. I'll say it again -- if Buff was Versteeg's size, he would not be playing professional hockey. That being said, it is a coaching issue to either motivate Buff or to find a guy that can replace him.
As far as Kopecky goes, maybe I was expecting more than he can bring. But Burrish is 180 pounds, too, and is twice the physical presence Kopecky has been so far. My point was if Kopecky was brought here to be a physical player, he is not cutting it.
I love the Hawks and have been watching them for 45 years -- I grew up watching Eric Nesterenko, Doug Mohns and Chico Maki. I just don't like a lot of what I see right now.
Appreciate your comments, Jac.
Back atcha, bud. We are of a similar vintage. I go back to the Bruins/Hawks Epic battles of 69-70 at the Old Barn. And I was born a week before the Hawks last hoisted the Cup.
I think Buff's hurt. I actually know a lot about this kid as he and his family are good, old friends with a good friend of mine. And we've talked about Buff a lot. He's a little like Probert in that he's a really easygoing kid until something wakes him up. So your comments are not totally inaccurate. That said, I do think he's playing through something right now. He's had a few off games, but how can you complain about him from the last 25 games of last regular season through the beginning of this season?!
I can live with Versteeg's miscues, too. But I'd sure like to see him cut them down before we have to face Detroit in the playoffs. Here's why.
In terms of overall talent, last year, I think we had as much as Detroit. I really do. But they are so much more disciplined and they will kill you on your mistakes, like not getting the puck deep enough on a change, overhandling the puck and turning it over, etc. And, sorry man, I saw Versteeg doing a lot of that in that series. He wasn't the only one. But he was pretty consistently bad on those things. I hope you will at least see what I'm saying on that. I also think a lot of Hawk fans fall in love with guys who have a lot of flashy athletic skill, but maybe aren't the sharpest tools in the shed in terms of hockey sense. Jack Skille comes to mind, although I think most Hawk fans have noe seen the light there.
For me, adding Hossa, Madden and Kopecky was actually more important from a hockey IQ/disciplined play perspective than talent. I loved Marty Havlat's talent and heart. But I know Hossa's a better player because his hockey IQ is so much higher.
And THAT— smarter, more disciplined team play in all three zones— once this team gets Hossa and Toews and gets the PP fixed (which I think they will) is what will make this team champions.
BTW, I don't know if this is true or not, or if it's being put out by the other team, but apparently Atlanta has talked to the Hawks (or vice versa) about Sharp. So if the Hawks are initiating that, then it's fair to say maybe they believe more in Versteeg. Cuz I think in some ways the salary cap dilemma is going to come down to a choice between keeping one or the other.
Gotta disagree with ya Jacukel about Buff on the point. We've got other guys who can hammer it from the point and still manage to play a little defense when called upon. Buff always seems like he's tired so I don't know how you were able to see that. Considering he had about a 20 foot led on O Reilly when O Reilly got the puck even Buff tired should have been able to get a body on him instead of just letting him skate right around him.
I also have to agree with Dad that this team is getting pushed around far too often. I'll give Fraser a little credit for at least trying to show some heart. Mentally I've had it with guys like Buff just refusing to show any heart or mean streak at all. Lots of other good wingers in this league who are smaller than he is, make less money than he does, and play their butts off every night banging bodies, crashing the net, and sticking up for teammates. Buff has 5 or 6 goals this year simply because he has potential. I've given up on the fact that he will NEVER play with an edge and because of that he will NEVER reach his potential.
As far as Kopecky goes, I still think he has the chance to show us more. Problem is, I don't think he's been put with the right guys to show that. For the majority of the season it seems like he's out there with the likes of Fraser, Hendry, and other 4th line guys. If Burish and Eager were with him, that might be better but we probably won't see that for a while considering their injuries.
It's time for Q to stop the Hendry experiment. Bring up Danny Bois and let him forecheck, skate hard, and bang bodies, and stick up for teammates.
Fair points, But I'm gonna come back at you.
Actually, I think Buff's playing hurt right now. I really do. But, you know what, I think Kopecky is actually pretty good in front of the net, AND, yeah, Keith can hammer it back there, but I don't think he's instinctive at all on the power play. He looks like he's about to pee himself sometimes when he has to make a decision back there instead of doing that walk-back and shoot thing he does so well.
That's the one thing as a d-man Buff did WELL, was making smart plays on the PP and he always has that shot.
I'm a little confused about the reasoning behind putting Sharp, Bolland and Buff at the point on the PP. Bolland is not an offensive threat, doesn't have a booming shot, and isn't all that shifty with or without the puck. Sharp has a nice shot but isn't it plain that he's most deadly from the dots in? Buff has the good heavy shot you like to see from the point but due to the lack of size the team currently has it seems to make a lot more sense to tell him fight for the puck when it gets tossed behind the net and otherwise stand 1-6 inches in front of the blue paint. I thought Q was just trying stuff to see if there were more options when Toews and Hossa get on the PP but now I'm not sure. For now I'd rather see a rotation of defenseman minus Sopel at the points on the PP and see what happens.
Fraser isn't Dave Schultz in terms of dropping the gloves but last night was the first time this year that he really made a 4th line nuisance of himself and basically did what Burrish usually does. I think Kopecky is still feeling his way around on this team and won't get comfortable until the team is healthier and he can focus on 3rd or 4th line play. He and a few other guys are playing out of their league right now on the 1st or 2nd lines and that is why the recent team struggles.
Need a couple of wins this week......badly.
bank on it
And I am probably Huet's biggest backer here. There are a couple of guys here who would still hate him if he won the Vezina.
But I think your point is more about Niemi. And I agree. Huet was only so-so against Phoenix and he was a lot better than Niemi was for 60 minutes last night.
But Niemi was really good in the shootout. If the Hawks have Hossa and Toews out there, that one likely would have ended earlier with two points.
Niemi is a work in progress. Raw, raw, raw.
I am new to this site and thought I would give you guys my background and thoughts. I have followed the hawks through thick and thin for 30 years. My first thought is that Huet isn't going to cut it. Way too many soft goals. Second, the hawks are soft as a bag of Charmin. I don't know who's fault it is but when playing teams with some grit and toughness almost all these guys have better things to do. Fraser was the only one tonight who showed some spunk.
An earlier poster wrote that this team is the hockey version of cubs on ice, I laughed but its starting to look that way. I don't know who to blame right now but it would be nice to see stan the man trade for a guy who will at least keep other teams honest.
Like someone else wrote on this board- you can have your small, fast and good: I'll take big mean and good. I've watched the hawks for a long time and this type of hockey doesn't do it for me. Hopefully some moves toward a tougher club will be made soon.
Welcome oldschool20,
The posters on here can get crabby from time to time but it really is one of the best boards out there for Hawk-talk.
I hear what you're saying, and I agree that the Hawks are too easy to play against on most nights--especially lately.
It's clear how much this team misses Eager and Burish's sand and swagger.
Neither of these guys really scare anyone per se, but they could drop the mits if called upon to do so, always brought energy to the rink, and never missed an opportunity to get under the other team's skin.
Very few posters will challenge the idea that Huet lets in too many soft goals; the problem is that if we simple folk can see this, chances are the hockey powerbrokers around the league see it, too. Huet and his inflated salary aren't going anywhere, so most Hawk fans are hoping Cristo pulls out of it. Truth be told, when this team is firing on all cylinders the goaltending doesn't have to exceptional for the Hawks to win, so Hawk fans are pining for Huet to be merely mediocre.
Who cares if we win the division! Where does that get you ! I want a cup ! It really does not make a difference who wins the division, only the cup . Come on guys, Wirtz senior got to theplayoffs every year in the 80`s and part of the 90`s , who cares ! He got his money , from guys like me ! i had tix for 20 + years , for what? I want a cup . Nothing else ! If you cant win it all ., do what you have to , to get it next year . Screw making the playoffs ! wirtz senior , got us so bad we qualified for relief from the league! So the league changed the rules that a lg market team had to have different rules to qualify for assistance! What a joke. Sorry , but i am glad he is not running this team anymore ! Injuries are a part of life , hopefully , we will end up with a better fate in the future! Some players look out of place in their decision making, but a player like A versteeg will make you a better team! He has a quality you cant teach. If not first line , then , 2nd. Not everyone is # 1. you need a #2 also, and a #3.We just need to get the injuries down- but our team toughness is terrible. Fraser is our tough guy-We are in big trouble
The D and goaltending haven't been huge issues over this last little stretch, it's the fact that this team can't buy a goal and is stretched a bit by injuries, especially tonight. Let's be honest...the Hawks looked pretty average out there with no Toews, no Bolland, Hossa, Eager. Q has a D playing forward for goodness sake.
The good news is they're still owning the puck. They really need to finish their chances though.
Not win a game the rest of the month? Rediculous!
oh and I don't think a guy who has been eating up minutes and starting the breakout like Campbell has is a "hole" in the defense...
Does anyone see this team winning a game the rest of the month? Monday and Wednesday will be two more losses and then on to the road the circus trip where they can kiss the playoffs goodbye. Bolland's season/career will soon be over, we have no goalie and any team with Brent Sopel playing 20 minutes a game will not be a playoff team.
That shootout was a joke. What was the strategy...bury your head and shoot into Anderson's jersey. The dad's had a better chance of scoring.
Another Chicago team like the Bears, Cubs and Soxs printing playoff tickets before the season started and deliver a giant sh*t sandwich to the fans.
us possibly beat the Kings and Avs at the UC....but Jeb you're right....we've got 3 holes on d currently occupied by Soupy, Soapy and Dopey.
And the shootout was a joke. My whipping boy Niemi held us in and gave the boyz every chance but Q's selections were bizarre and our shooters were off. Sharpie had a strong game but can't buy a goal..plus he's ultra predictable...top shelf glove hand every time he's in alone. Ladd showed tremendous grit after taking a skate in the beak....and rang a near perfect shot off the pipe in the s/o and ex-Hawk Craig Anderson played great to get the last laugh.
This team is sleepwalking right now and completely lack a killer instinct.
Huet and Niemi are two of the worst goalies alive and have no business wearing the Tomahawk. Hawks allow a league low 22 shots per game on average and these two terrible tenders kill us night in night out. And the problem is....both are pretty much carbon copies of one another...
-both play too deep in their net
-both live on their knees and the book on them is in it's umpteenth publication...shoot high...you'll beat the Hawks.
-both have no clue how to use their sticks properly to protect the low five hole...
-and both seriously lack any semblance of confidence...
-no wonder we miss the playoffs if they started today.
Instead, Blowman is content rearrange the deckchairs in Rockford.
I agree with everything you say about Huet but I won't lump Niemi in with Huet. I think he's much better and will improve with each game he plays. I have no confidence at all in Huet, in Niemi I do have confidence. He plays bigger and has quicker reflexes.
But, today, he's a better goalie than Niemi. Not writing Niemi off either. Loved him in the shootout. He is just so raw and maybe even more inconsistent than Huet.
Huet is no Dryden....and he's definitely no Bunny Laroque either. He's a stylistically flawed, mentally weak, severely overpaid piece of luggage. Other than that..i'm sure he's a nice guy.
he does play bigger... but still too deep in his net....the 2-2 goal he let in was atrocious...sat back...looked small in his net and let in a weak shot....devastating...
Nice rally by the Hawks and they had plenty of chances to win....Niemi was awesome in the shootout...just wish he was like that for 60 minutes....where was Madden in the shootout.....Kopecky, Barker and Byfuglien were horrible.....HORRIBLE.
HUGE.