Hawks saying little about Bolland
It was a quiet Sunday morning practice for the Blackhawks - on and off the ice.
Coach Joel Quenneville wouldn't confirm if Jonathan Toews and Ben Eager would be back from their concussions Monday night against Los Angeles, but look for both of them to play.
Toews skated on a line between Patrick Sharp and Dustin Byfuglien and was also back in the power play mix (thank goodness).
Eager skated on the fourth line with Colin Fraser and Andrew Ebbett.
As for Dave Bolland, he didn't practice and won't play Monday because of his back.
While Quenneville continues to call Bolland day-to-day to the media, like we wrote Friday the Hawks are discussing shutting Bolland down and even surgery.
Quenneville was asked Sunday if the team was considering shutting Bolland down.
"We'll see," Quenneville said. "Hopefully it's getting better."
If Bolland does have surgery he could be back in two months.
Kris Versteeg was back at center in practice Sunday after playing there for Bolland at Colorado. The Hawks have plenty of options at center behind Toews and John Madden should Bolland be lost for a time in Versteeg, Sharp and Tomas Kopecky.
Would the Hawks go out and trade for another center if they lose Bolland? It's not likely. Their bigger need is for a defenseman to run the power play.
What about signing free agent Peter Forsberg? It's a longshot and there have been only tiny rumors of interest on either side.
Former GM Dale Tallon wanted to sign Forsberg when he was in charge, but there has been no indication Stan Bowman feels the same way. The Hawks are also right up against the salary cap, which could change depending on Bolland's injury status.
Forsberg wants to return to the NHL. Vancouver has been considered the leader for his services, but don’t count out the Red Wings with their Swedish connections if they can work their cap problem.
Washington reportedly has put center Michael Nylander on waivers, but his cap hit is $4.875 million and he is signed through next season, which shouldn't interest the Hawks.
when he was with the Blues in the early 90's, however he truly made his mark during his years in Philly and Carolina. Forsberg, IMO, is "washed-up" just as the other come back attempt has-beens(Claude Lemiuex, Theo Fleury, etc.) Brind'amour is a hard-nosed player, who could bring leadership, grit, toughness, experience and skill. I think he still has some miles left in him and could be an asset, just as Bill Guerin was for Pitt. Please no more re-treads.
Could help this team in a lot of ways
timmy, i say when it comes to bolland,i say deal with it now like they did with hossa so bolland is back when we need him later in the season. tomas kopecky should be playing higher than the fourth line,i agree he is a better option than patrick sharp or devin hester brain versteeg at center. tomas has good size to park his butt in front of the net, maybe he could show bufflinda how to do it too! now as far as fantasy trades that some of these fans put on the hawks website for kovalchuk,were gonna trade campbell for kaberle,ect.! blah blah blah! are way off kilter! some of them ,i believe are dreamed up by some fat old balding hawk fans wearing a hawk jersey coming home from a hawk road watch party half drunked up with a gallon of milk and the tribune because they got shot down by one of the ice girls(like they really had a chance anyway) or other female patrons that evening. so the next option is lets play gm. turn on the computer, twist up a blunt, pop open a beer and make a trade!wow! we just got kovalchuk for sopel! great job mistro! don't forget there givin' their stemmer a good beatin' too while their thinking of kovalchuk wearing the indianhead! i know that all just sounded childish but the jist of that stuff is started like that with the power of the internet. so all the educated hawk fans and hockey purists know what we mean. bottom line is we have the guys to fill in. now... one guy who i believe could be available is rod brindamour....he could be just what we need for this year and next even after bolland comes back, good leader, some left in the tank and has won a couple of cups, a better option than peter forsberg because of injurys, i believe brindamour has no major injury issues and isn't rutherford looking to re- tool? what do you guys think?
She said I was cute! I thought I had a shot.....
you make her sick when you speak, Reg
You got something against bald straight guys wearing jerseys? And is Brindamour an upgrade from Madden? I thought he had a lot of injuries in the last couple of years.
With more scoring touch. 55 FO% this year, too.
not really, all in fun, we got one of our buddies that collects pictures from these parties and actually believes "he got a shot" and comes up with these silly trades! as for brindamour, that is why i am asking? what do you guys think!
I disagree and for the life of me can't figure out what is going on.
Yes the team has injuries but right now it is more guys being misused than the lack of parts. Like him or hate him Brian Campbell does 1 thing very well yet he is not on the #1 PP unit.
Keith and Seabrook are a good 1st pair but Keith's #1 shortcoming is his inability to pass tape to tape yet there he is on the PP point.
Campbell and Barker need to be on the point and what is wiht Kopecky up front. He is a good guy but when the initial shot is blocked or saved he is NOT capable of finishing. I don't understand the reason for the changes. The PP looked good, Buff in the slot, Campbell and Barker at the points and Kane on the halfboards. Next thing you know Sharp is at the point, then Keith and Seabrook and now we are seeing Byfuglien on the point all with Kopecky in the slot and it's just not working. ...
I suppose all coaches at some point get stupid since they all seem to eventually get fired but I have to wonder if we really have a problem here. Does Quennville really think the players he is using now in the roles he has them in should do better than what he had? Is he just mixing and matching early in the season trying to see different things knowing the real season starts in April?
What I would like to see is a reporter actually ask the coach questions like this (PP stats with the other players can be verified) and put the coach on the spot rather than simply taking whatever bits of info the team offers and spewing out an article.
IS Brian Campbell NOT a PPQB? Ask Quennville his opinion? Was Byfuglien not getting the job done in the slot? Ask Quennville his opinion.
Fans and writers talk about the possibility of trading Brian Campbell, well if he is not qualified to run a PP over Duncan Keith or Patrick Sharp you are going to have a hard time getting anyone to take him. Funny thing is I and many other fans really thought Campbell came out this year playing very well. He is still logging big minutes at even strength but is not being used at what he does best. Wouldn't a sportswriter ask the teams coach why this is?
I didn't see the Toronto rumor but I am interested in what could be. Like everyone (I'm guessing) I had to read that the Hawks bigger need was a PP quarterback line a couple times. I had Campbell's near $8 million salary clogging my ears and brain. So I thought about the whole possible Kaberle thing. Who says we have to trade Versteeg and Barker for him? What about trading Sharp and Campbell for Kaberle and Blake? Blake hasn't been anyway near expectations for them. Sharp is younger and much more productive. I don't get to see Kaberle very often but when I do he always seems to play a pretty good all around game. They get a better scorer and take a chance on a d-man playing better and we get a consistent d-man and take a chance on a scorer getting better.
Just a thought. Not sure why I even think about trades like this, not like my thinking matters or makes a difference. Just frustrated with how things have been so far this year I guess.
All I heard was his name, no names of player(s) going back. The reasons I suggest 2 for 1 is the Hawks might want to lose some salary in the deal. They can't afford to take any more on. And no way would Toronto take Campbell or Barker straight up for Kaberle. Burke is going to want multiple assets regardless: some combination of player(s) and/or pick(s).
Interesting that ALL the current rumors out there involving the Hawks are with Eastern Conference teams they have dealt with a lot in the past (Carolina, Toronto), or they have a current connection to (Atlanta, Dudley).
I have not heard anything about the Isle but it would not surprise me if they are talking to them about Biron. And DO NOT be surprised if Antti Niemi went the other way in a deal for a veteran goalie. Remember, the Frenchman is basically untradeable and Niemi has a one-way deal. Hard truth: if they want to strengthen goalie, Niemi will be in the deal.
The same guy(s) who thought Huet was the ticket were probably high on Niemi as he a similar goalie. He has more speed and a little better balance, but basically the same style. Which we all know I don't care for. And I must admit after watching Crawford a couple of times of late- on his knees most of the time- that his game is not to my liking anymore. The kids feet were as good as his hands when he first came here and they forced him to forget about them, just like Leighton some years ago. Niemi is more comfortable with the style and that's probably why he is here and Crawford is in the AHL. So I don't know who to suggest, but at least trying another guy in net is ok with me. But if some logical open minded coaching is not going to happen, then ultimately I'm not sure it's going to matter, unless the new goalie is talented, confident with his abilities and style, and strongminded. And successful wouldn't hurt, either. The hawks, when healthy, shouldn't need a guy to win every game, just not lose them. They are not going to be able to score 4 or 5 every night, especially in the playoffs. And all these guys who rip Stan Bowman are a little pre-mature. He's been around for a number of years as the capologist, so this situation is no surprise to him. And I like a GM who plays it close to the vest, if that is what he is doing. If he is being patient and diligent it will show up sooner or later. We are not part of the decision making process, so we as outsiders have to be patient as well.
Yeah, Tim...me too. I am also a bit confused at the Hawk need on defense.
It could be I am so old and keep thinking the Prongers help thing stay "honest."
Oh, that's right he's a beast and on the PP.
Is this PP drought because the team lacks Bolland there? I think it is more complicated than that.
Think Kaberle is the answer to what ails this team? Oh, that's right Burke said no conversations.
As far as my near sighted eyes can see, the Hawks don't lack physicality in front, and skill all over if the line-up heals itself.
Versteeg really isn't a centre but has be generating chances all year.
If Kopecky wasn't so valuable in front I think he might be there at centre already.
Madden is not going to maintain the pace he playing at.
The Cap puts this team with it's injuries in a position where the only deal that helps is a marquee player for player deal, and we all know that you cannot trade from your strength if the line-up on the mend.
I think the circus trip west will be about filling with Rockford ice hogs bandaids and pinning all the years hopes on recovery by two centres and Hossa.
A long season.
It just might be a little more difficult to get the fans to buy into the Stanley Cup train ride they got sold since the playoffs ended.
Since when has the centre ice not been a problem here?
This Bolland back injury had my radar up two months ago. He hasn't been the same at anytime this year and the real red flag went up when he missed the Detroit game. Now the team is in bunker mode until a final decison gets made on surgery. I know they're holding off on surgery because back surgery can be a real crapshoot. But if multiple cortizone shots haven't helped they may not have a choice. In the meantime I'm fine with Versteeg on the 2nd line at center. Kopecky, Madden, Ebbet and Fraser are all 3rd or 4th line guys. Q might have to take him off the PK unit so he doesn't have too much ice time though.
Either way I don't expect any deals until the team is reasonably healthy at the top six forward positions. I know there's been a lot of Toronto and Islander chatter lately but Atlanta bears monitoring too. If they start losing the Kovalchuk rumors are going to start flying. If the Hawks sign the Big 3 then Atlanta won't be a player but if all of these guys haven't been signed by mid-January and the Hawks are still struggling to score it may start to get very interesting. Atlanta has got to get something for the league's best sniper long before they lose him in free agency and they are almost certain to deal him to a Western Conference team.
they visit next Friday night and after crawling out of the gate (big joke up here in Toronto was...what was the diff. b/t the Leafs and a triangle......Answer....at least a triangle had 3 points !!! ). But the Buds have turned it around and could be a very formidable opponent this Friday against us.
The Hawks have the Kings, Avs, and Leafs at this week......potentially a 6 point week....anything less than a 4 point week and we're in big trouble. Here's a warning....don't take the Leafs lightly....they are on the rise....i love Chicago but live in Toronto and the Buds will be dangerous for us. Now, let's go out and SWEEP THE WEEK !!!!!
It's really frustrating to have all the "offensive" D-men on the roster (remember that even Sopel is considered more of an offensive D-man than a defensive D-man) but no one can seem to be able to quarterback the PP!!! If that's not something Campbell or Barker can do then what is their point?!?!? They are both weak defensively.
And Center is looking pretty weak these days even when when we're healthy. Bolland as the #2 guy seems a little weak to me for a championship caliber team. Watching the games, it appears that almost all our forwards are soft or semi-soft perimeter players - the middle of the ice is a void.
Also btw who the heck is gonna play with Kaner!?!??! He needs a strong C to pass to that it doesn't look like we have. That is unless Q has Hossa-Toews-Kane as the #1 line.
>Perfect example of a very talented player who needs a better hockey IQ
>The purpose of coaching is to increase a player's hockey IQ
>Too many Campbell rushes result in either turnovers by him directly or passes that quickly become 50-50 puck battles the Hawks eventually lose to the other team (turnover)
>Campbell could be a dominant player if he could understand that every rush he makes should have one of three outcomes: a shot on goal by him,
carry the puck all the way behind the other team's net and hold it there until a quality pass is available, or a safe dump-in at the blueline
>No more turning the puck over along the half boards by getting rid of it like it's a hand grenade because you (Campbell) feel like you already have had it too long -- that's Campbell's biggest problem -- needless giveaways
>The best coaching not only focuses on team systems, opponents' systems, but also has a plan for each individual player to get better than they are
>BTW I believe Haviland is a terrific coach -- and a proven winner everywhere he has been -- often with little to work with
Should be an NHL head coach
> Just wondering the way the Kings now have a lot of size and some players who use that size among the forwards, how do the injured now returning and Bufuglien stand up in this match? I'd like to think Buff can be a big size player who is hard to work against more due to his size issue than anything else -- remember P McNab -- but we know Buff won't bang on a regular basis. Well, part of that is when he is on the point....get someone else on the point, just get shots through, so what, if you don't have a cannon for a shot, live without it...can't give away goals, which is what you risk whenever Buff is on the point. So he has all this incredible talent..well, unless he is able to harness all that talent, and it isn't happening as a PP specialist on the point at Rockford, then he should be parked in front of the net. On the powerplay we may employ Buff on one unit, and Kopecky on the other...both in front of the net. This summer, Bowman has to decide whom is his core, and whom might he trade...big question is if we can acquire someone who plays with an edge all the time, each game, not so-so (though great at other times playoffs last spring). If Quenneville can't motivate or push Buff into using his size each game to full advantage (no, not fights, not intimidating so much, just battle for the puck and use your size) if Quenneville can't get it out of Buff, then I ask you, the fan is it Buff or Quenneville whom is failing us. Some things (let me stress some things) Buff must do. I know Jacukel you have your point/reasons, but in order to make the playoffs we must have Buff contributing more in the physical department. Can't judge him by his goals alone. Maybe we should just offer Buff, Barker and Versteeg even Aliu and a #1 for a really good center, and let the players left on roster fall into place with Toeewes and that center leading two very good offensive lines?
I want to believe in the Big Puff....and he might be saving himself for the playoffs....but he's got to step it up according to his contract.....WTF 33....take your skirt off and get a good night's sleep....it might help help the club.
I'm not trying to be a jerk or argumentative here. You say PP QB is a greater need than Center. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you.
But the other day you (sort of) argued that Campbell is irreplaceable. I have defended the guy in the past. But i also look at nearly $11 million in salary tied up in two guys who are supposed to be QB'ing our PP: Barker and Campbell.
Now, I have also heard (twice) in the last few months the Hawks were talking to TO about Kaberle. I am going by what others tell me is an actual conversation, not just putting two and two together. Burke denies it. Kaberle says he wants to stay in Toronto (now). What's he going to do? A friend of mine in Toronto PMed me yesterday and said Burke's denial is as good as an admission.
Regardless, if you put two and two together, in spite of what Toronto fans want to think, that team needs a serious infusion of young talent to build around, not to mention draft picks (because they traded away two first rounders for Kessel). The Hawks have a need for precisely the kind of guy Kaberle is, and chips to deal like Versteeg (or Sharp) and Barker, not to mention a pile of 2nd round picks in the next couple of drafts.
Just saying.
Tim, make up your mind on Campbell. The comment about needing a power play QB must mean you feel Campbell isn't it (let alone Barker). Your comment on the other blog was if they traded Heatley for Campbell, who would play D. If Campbell isn't QBing the power play, then should they just be happy he moves the puck up? Because he isn't scoring. Nothing I've read anywhere thinks he's among the top defensemen in the league. I've read plenty about what a disaster that signing was. That was your buddy Tallon's doing. Maybe McDonough was nodding in agreement behind him, but that one (and Huet) is on Tallon. Now they're stuck with a $7.5M cap albatross.
Now for the Hawk fans that thought Tallon was treated unfairly, the Campbell and the Huet signings were enough reason for him to go. In reality, he probably should have been gone before that offseason, because his only goal that offseason was to save his job. He did that short term, since he handed McDonough enough to do what he does best (and remember all you Cubs fans out there, McDonough is a wizard at making huge profit dollars for ownership by marketing hope and nostalgia, and winning nothing). They have a few injuries now, they're in a bit of a slump, lots of people want some change (including Sassone with the PP QB comment). Guess what - no cap room means it's a lot more difficult to make these moves. Want Kaberle like jacukel keeps saying could happen? Say goodbye to a combination of Barker. Versteeg, Sharp, Byfuglien, or maybe someone else the fans will lose their minds about. That's the reality. For those of you saying just worry about the cap next year, no such luck. It impacts this year.
I won't just heap this on Tallon. Stan Bowman's the so-called cap expert, but I haven't seen anything yet that gives me any confidence he digs them out of this. I don't think Tallon had any say so in the free agent signings this past offseason. That's all on the current regime.
So maybe Toews and Eager come back (but concussions are tricky things), and Bolland comes back (but remember the Eric Daze era), and Campbell lives up to the limited expectations the Hawks and fans have. Hossa finally playing will be huge, maybe that's the spark they need. But remember one thing - it's all about the cap. If the current roster can't get it done, look out.
I don't believe I have ever said Campbell couldn't be replaced. Sure, I have defended him, and I will admit it's getting harder to do these days. I guess my point should have been stated more clearly. I'm just saying how could you possibly trade Campbell if you don't get a defenseman back? It's pretty lean after Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson, and there is NOBODY to come up from Rockford.
If you think the Campbell signing was a "disaster," well, I just don't think I would go that far. This team did finish with 104 points last season and go to the conference finals with him. It's pretty hard to make too many judgements after 15 games this season. Of course, he is not worth $7.1 million a year, but it's a pretty long list of players who aren't worth what they earn.
Tim, so you're saying if they didn't have Campbell last year, they don't finish with 104 points and go to the conference finals? There wasn't any other moves that could have been made that would not have resulted in overpaying for Campbell, but still would have enabled them to get the same results? How about San Jose trading for Boyle? Hawks couldn't have put a deal together like the Sharks did? Or are you saying that was the best move they could have made, signing Campbell?
You're absolutely right it's only 15 games in. But in those 15 games, no stability in net, they lose Toews due to a concussion (those can be tricky), their #2 center has a back issue (granted, the severity is unknown outside the locker room), and as you pointed out, they haven't found a QB for the power play (isn't that why they overpaid for Campbell, to fill that role). Let's say anyone of those question marks end up being a longer term issue. How do they make moves with the cap being an issue?
For replying.
No, I don't think signing Campbell was a disaster. I thought he was the Hawks' best d-man in the playoffs last year. But he is not playing like a $7 million player now, or anything close to it.
And I do think if he (and/or Barker) went elsewhere in deals (and I actually believe Campbell and his deal are more tradeable than Huet), then they can be replaced by a guy like Kaberle (not necessarily all in the same deal either).
A lot of dominoes would have to fall for sure. But I'll just say this. Kaberle is the best chip Burke has. How old will he be and what will his contract demands be by the time Burke gets that team re-built? The smart move is to get a good price for Kaberle in young players, prospects or picks. Burke will NEVER have the leeway to do that like he has now, and he doesn't have much now (hence the public denial).
slpsht/barry,
Everyone in Chicago knows it was your buddy McSplash who wanted Campbell and Huet, just as anyone following the NHL can see Stan Bowman is in way over his head. Until old Johnnie Mac keeps his hands out of hockey operations, we've got problems.
old time, I know reading's a skill. Must have overlooked my comments on McDonough once your eyes glazed over about the Tallon comments. I also had some criticism of Bowman you missed. Just to clarify for you, not a fan of McDonough (like I wrote and you apparently missed I saw what he did with the Cubs), not his buddy, not Rozner. Maybe re-read what I wrote.
I think your the guy that's mentioned a few times you know some insider there that let you know McDonough was behind the qualifying offers being sent out late, to give him an excuse to get rid of Tallon. Good stuff, makes no sense though. Rocky would allow that to happen under his watch since it cost him a few million bucks? If you found out about it I'm sure Rocky would have, and maybe would have had an issue with it. Keep those insights coming.
So just so I can get a better understanding, do you think Tallon was let go unfairly? McDonough and not Tallon made the Huet and Campbell decisions? Why would Tallon stay, then, if the marketing guy is making decisions on personnel and not him? Because I tell you what, I'd have a lot less respect for Tallon if that was what was happening, and he was just along for the ride.
"If you found out about it I'm sure Rocky would have, and maybe would have had an issue with it. Keep those insights coming."
Go have a chat with Josh Mora and then we'll talk.
we don't need this guy....he's softer than a Lovie Smith brainfart. Still 51...at $8 mil/yr....is a triple feature nightmare.....he's slow, dumb and did i mention he was dumb.....a 3 per cent shooting percentage....how much did we pay him to shoot the biscuit? Tallon....answer for yourself?
Dude,
Don't hold back on your feelings. Let us know how you really feel. ;)
I liked Dale Tallon as the Hawks GM. A good guy. And a guy who, to a degree, wore his heart on his sleeve. Maybe too much. I am not defending Stan Bowman here. He might be a brainless bureaucrat. But I also suspect (and I've been told) he might be the kind of GM who keeps it really close to the vest. Remember, sometimes the best moves you make are the ones you don't.
I have no idea if they're in on Forsberg or not. But they could well be and they're just not letting it out.
Scotty can come off as arrogant, but I have also heard he can be a nice guy. One thing's for sure: not only was he a good coach, but he is about the best judge of hockey talent out there. The Hawks' 5th round pick this past summer, Marcus Kruger, is ripping up the Swedish Elite League as a rookie (at 18 years of age) and is a candidate for rookie of the year. That is a tough league. This kid was a personal pick of Scotty's.
For the record, I like Kopecky at C more than Versteeg or Sharp.
Tallon obviously was a guy who BLED the Tomahawk like we do. So he f'd up a few contracts and was forced to possibly overpay to retain a few guys.....for Versteeg ok...for Barker...no way
Forsberg? C'mon...he hasn't been really healthy in years so who cares who signs him. Unless our Euro scouts KNOW he's been officially rejuvenated.....then why worry about him.
If the Scotty's the best judge of talent out there Jac....i hope Kruger can break our lineup before Dick Daley calls it quits.
P.S. I like Kopecky too....Q has used him a ton on the pp on the road and he's been very visible unlike Soupy, 20 cent or any other stiff.
You know what you're talking about, see my post below re: Scotty. I'll stand by that statement. Grinder hit the nail on the head. Scotty goes out and finds guys with high hockey IQ's (like Kruger). Kopecky, Hossa and Madden all have it.
There are some in the Hawk organization (Skille, Barker and in my opinion Versteeg) who have physical talent but don't make the best decisions on the ice.
does this a-hole feel anything? Or is he just a robot like his pappy. I met Scotty Bowman a few times now and though he is a 'great coach' (who inherited stacked teams his whole career) he made my skin crawl. A repugnant rshole to be sure. And to think...his silver spooned brat is driving our bus. WHEN will he make a move of significance?
Sounds like you think Scotty is the Phil Jackson of the NHL.
was a player and won a championship as a player.....Scotty Bowman is a never was as a player but enjoys complete reverence as some kind of genius. HE NEVER WON A CUP ON HIS OWN....NEVER PEOPLE.....so why would i bow down to him now?
The GM behind the majority of those rings of Scotty's was Sam Pollack. That's the genius. Not Scotty. He was the coach, and I'll give him credit on being a winning coach, but as a GM his record stunk.
Period.
Not arguing with you, Philco and Old Time, because there's a difference between a coach, a talent evaluator and a GM. As far as the first two, there has been NONE better.
can you tell me why Stan/Scott Bowman are endorsing the presence of Jordan Hendry on the wing for us? Nothing against Hendry.....he's a serviceable hockey player....but not on the wing for us? Yet the Bowmans have signed off on him being used this way? I don't get it. Dowell came up and gave us a physical presence. Hendry plays 5 minutes a night and seems to find himself in the penalty box when he does see the ice.
cap
I don't know all the ins and outs (for example, why him and not Dowell), but that is why.