No new deals for Hawks
Posted by TimS on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 15:37
The NHL's trade deadline passed Wednesday with Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman staying with what has got him to this point.
Bowman obviously remains confident goalies Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet can help win the Stanley Cup and that previous acquisitions Kim Johnsson and Nick Boynton provide the necessary depth on defense.
Mostly a quiet day throughout the Western Conference. San Jose and Vancouver didn't do anything either.
More to follow.
On July 1st 2010 the Hawks will either be actively looking for a big name goalie in the free agent pool to sign or they will be content with the goalie they have since they just made it as far as the Western Conference Finals or the Stanley Cup Finals.
This decision might be best because their may be a better goalie other than Vokoun available on July 1st.
MOST teams in the Western Conference did nothing. Phoenix lost 5-2 to STL and GM Maloney went nuts. He brought in:
Lee Stempniak, Mathieu Schneider, Wojtek Wolski, Derek Morris, Alex Picard and Petteri Nokelainen all NHL roster guys and each a key to their puzzle. In exchange he gave up only 1 NHL roster guy in Peter Mueller, 4 AHL players and 4th, 6th, 7th and conditional picks. If even half of the NHL guys this team got contribute this year, he could have inched this team toward a deep run in the playoffs shopping the bargain racks. They already had very good goaltending and solid defense.
Should be interesting.
I still like the team. It is not an overwhleming Cup favorite. But who is? We could still win the Cup.
If they do not distinguish themselves the rest of the year and in the playoffs I think you can still get a draft pick after the year for Versteeg and Byfuglien.
If Huet does not distinguish himself the rest of this year and in the playoffs you buy him out or stash him in Rockford.
You still have Johnsson, Madden, Sopel, Eager, Kopecky coming off the books at the end of the year so our cap situation should be manageable.
In any case we can stop filling the blog with posts about trades for a few months. That in itself is great news!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe tomorrow we can just post about the game.
This makes sense to me...
"The Hawks will use the Detroit model that Bowman the Oracle won with when he had Chris Osgood in net behind one of the most talented rosters ever. Osgood was never Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur, but he didn’t have to be. The Red Wings played such a brilliant puck-possession game that they didn’t rely on their goalie to win every game, just to make enough big saves.
The Hawks play that same type of brilliant puck-possession game, making plays at top speed, which is the difference between good and great in the NHL. They protect their goalie by firing pucks at the opposing netminder, reducing the workload to making a few big stops and eliminating the softies that suck the life out of a team.
That’s really all the Hawks ask of their goalie. They just don’t seem to know which one to ask. "
But the answers have been equivocal so far.
Do you think that either Huet or Niemi can steal games like Vernon (Conn Smythe winner) or Osgood actually did on the way to their Cups?
The 'Detroit Logic' is predicated on more than an average goalie with a great team in front. The 'average goalie' also needs to be capable of being outstanding at times (not always). This point is often overlooked or conveniently ignored.
The whole "Stealing" games thing is pointless, because how can a goalie steal a game when his team is never really "outplayed" by the opposing team. I mean honestly, the Hawks are so rarely outshot and outplayed that Huet and Neimi aren't really called upon to steal a game. The Hawks typically lose like the Red Wings used to, which is when the other goalie finds a way to be outstanding for long periods of time. Anihiem beat Detroit on the way to their cup finals by having a goaltender make 45-55 saves a night and somehow keep them in it. Edmonton did the same thing with Roloson. If the Hawks hammer an opponent and fail to score on a huge amount of chances, but Huet only allows a goal on 23 shots and they win, is that stealing a game?
"If the Hawks hammer an opponent and fail to score on a huge amount of chances, but Huet only allows a goal on 23 shots and they win, is that stealing a game?"
Using that scenario CHF that would not be stealing a game. If and it's a big IF the Hawks are outshot 47-20 and Huet or Niemi shut out the opposition or only give up one goal and the Hawks win wouldn't that be considered a situation where the goalie stole the game?
I think this is really an excellent post and is right on. I can live with results like last night if they occur in the playoffs against playoff caliber teams. And, I think at home our boys can withstand the temporary letdown that the occasional soft goal results in. On the road seems to be a different story as we saw, again, on the Island. Since we'll likely have home ice for much of the playoffs, we may be able to get ourselves into a position where we've got a one game series for the Cup, and anything can happen in those, even if that one game is in Pittsburg or Washington. We now know these are the guys we'll live and die with this year, so here's to living!
Do you not remember the 1-0 game in Vancouver?
Or, how about the Detroit game where the Hawks were seriously outplayed in the first period but held in it by goaltending?
Do you really think the Hawks are so good they will never be outplayed? Especially in the playoffs?
The playoffs is a whole different dynamic. The games are tighter, many advantages the Hawks have get neutralized and the determining factor is who has better goaltending. I am not feeling good about the prospects of coming out ahead in a gun fight when we only have a knife.
I cant rem the last time we were outplayed and it doesnt happen often. Our sloppy play sure helps the other team though on occasion.
and yeah i rem the 3rd period in Minnesota!
Perhaps 'snake bit' is a better term being a long time Chicago Blackhawks fan.
I am old enough to remember 'King' Richard Brodeur and his 1981/82 Vancouver Canucks - Tiger Williams, Harold Snepst, Darcy Rota, Stan Smyl, Curt Fraser and someone name Boldirev - knock the Blackhawks out of the Cup finals.
The Blackhawks were the better team but gone stonewalled by King Richard.
Luongo, Kesler, Burrows, Sedin2... makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
It's like deja vu all over again.
But we were out muscled in that series as well.
But the ghost of hockey past still lurks.
Everyone believed Niemi could steal a game but one period later and everyone is jumping into the goalie abyss.
im not ready to fold the tent...one game however ugly it was, is not different than the Minnesota game but we recovered after that!
No, I don't think they can steal games like Vernon. I really can't think of many games this season if any that Huet or Niemi have stolen. That being said how many games have the Hawks been so badly outplayed that the goalie had to steal the game? I think if the Hawks are playing well as a team they can win with Huet or Niemi. Now could they have used an upgrade you bet. They have been one of the top teams with what they have right now so there is no reason why they can't win in the playoffs. The key is the rest of the team playing well in front of them. Some teams have a stellar goalie and a mediocre team. The Hawks have a great team and mediocre goaltending. They just can't put themselves in a position where Huet and Niemi have to stand on their heads for the team to win.
Hard to know if Little Scottie was really confident in our current netminders, or there were just no good alternatives.
There are no dumb GMs at the NHL level, and everyone knows the Hawks situation, so it isn't surprising that the only team with a real, true upgrade would ask for the world to send him this way.
Plus you still have salary cap problems with Huet's contract, and why would another team want that contract for a back-up goalie?
It would have been nice to add some pieces but the bottom line is we still need to shed up to 10 million in cap room after this year! We do not have many holes on this team and it isnt by accident we have been this successful so far! The window to be a cup contender is not small as has been discussed on here and we have a nice core and I think we will get even better in the next few years!
The Vukoun deal wasnt gonna fly in the first place as it wasnt in the Panthers best interests so im not disappointed in a deal that didnt have a chance in the first place.
This time of year sucks for fans when you expect the bogus "Rumors" that always crop up to take place and than you get pissed at the GM because he did nothing to help the team based on those Rumors!!
I dont necessarily believe everything a bowman says but he has stated all along about not messing with chemistry goaltending etc!!!
Nothing has changed for me!!
besides everyone on the TSN trade centre panel has Chicago 1 or 2 in the cup contender list!
Veal McGuire says the Hawks are good enough to win it even with the goaltending..
Now I know for sure they are doomed........50 years and counting.
HOw disappointing!!!!!
We will have the Huet saga next year too. This is endless. Our only hope this season is for Niemi to improve on the increased playing time. I just read Boldy's latest blurb, he compares our team to Detroits. Osgood is very good player and seems to do very well in the playoffs. Definitely better than Huet. Osgood is always good for a few spectacular saves a game and he does let in a few softies. But his team is better defensively and scores more goals - back in the last few seasons. But if Detroit runs into an opponent with a good offense or a hot goalie, they will struggle.
Plus no other improvement or trades. What have the Bowmans been doing?
Thats the Chicago tribune article!! rosenblog i believe
I cant take credit but we are not that far away from the team in terms of style!!
thanks anyway
I gave up on the trib long ago concerning Blackhawk coverage.
YOu are correct, the Hawks and Wings are similar in style - but just we are not quite as good in all aspects. But hopefully we will be good enough and players step up when given the opportunity.
Hopefully - people listened to the Miracle on Ice interviews prior to the USA vs Canada first Olympic game. The USA's recipe was conditioning, team play, players cared about each other, and players stepping up when given the chance.
I got caught up in the rumors but one particular guy from a site, claimed the Hawks were trading Huet, and even said he was 90% sure it was happening. I also then sat there today, and watched every rumor he posted get shot down by TSN, or more established sources. So what did I learn? Not to trust that particular guy from that particular site again.....
I can't see how Huet starts tonight. He'll get his @ss booed out of the building. They better come out and play hard, because this a melting pot of pure anger from almost every fan I have spoken to today.
not even a toews bobblehead can overcome that.
Im assuming you mean this one steve. Hey its fun to read ill admit but the comments are the reason I go there. I think we all do and thats what makes this time of year fun for the amateur GMs.
tonights game should be a bounce back for us whoever starts!
Is he ever right about anything?
I have to say it was entertaining reading him quoting TSN to shoot down his own source..lol
I had a good laugh when I read that too.
Hockeybuzz should ban this idiot. He has absolutely no idea what he is talking about! His sources are a joke.
No Huet or any other deals so off we go to the Promised Land with who brought us this far. Can this team win it all as it stands?? My heart is begging to say yes but my head says we'll come up just short again. But my head has been wrong many times before so hopefully that will be the case once again. In my opinion what we need to see these last 20 games is:
1) One goaltender outplaying the other and becoming a confidence builder heading into April.
2) More offense from the 2nd and especially the 3rd line. The third line in particular is killing us. Now that the trade deadline has passed will Versteeg be getting involved again??
3) I'd like to see JT start lighting the lamp a bit more.
4) Buff and Brouwer playing physical.
5) Better PP movement....though the one good thing out of last night's disaster was two PP goals.
6) Less playing down to the competition and more treating every team like it was Detroit.
7) Good health.
8) A good first round playoff matchup. This means pretty much anyone but Detroit.
I'm asking a lot I know. But it has been far too long since the Cup was carried on the shoulders of this franchise. Tonight is the start. It is an especially key game since Vancouver and Detroit are up next on the schedule and you don't want to go into the weekend skating with a 2 game losing streak caused by losses to two of the worst teams in the NHL.
No trades??? I do not see them getting out of the west come the playoffs. Seabrook and Keith have both been making bad turnovers lately. Also being against the cap leaves very little room for next season as well.
They got Tovinen to shore up the goalie situation!
I cannot wait!
Sounds just like 1996 when they needed a scorer to compliment Roenick, Amonte, Dirk Graham and Murray Craven......
They went and got Enrico Ciccone.
At the other end of the spectrum is Phoenix. They made a ton of changes to a team that was already winning. It will be interesting to see how they jell with all the new people in so few games and fewer practices. On paper you have to like what they did though.
So how does this team overcome the lack of a physical defenseman, and a goalie(s) who is prone to giving up a soft goal?
I think CHF and Jackuel are correct. They need to tighten up defensively. Maybe Q brings in the reigns a little bit and limits which d men are allowed to rush the puck or pinch on a whim. This team really needs to get back to playing great defensive hockey through puck control, or limiting opponents chances. Until then, any concern over goaltending will continue.
It's also time to start looking at who the Hawks could face as a 1 or 2 seed...I'd take Colorado or Nashville today over Detroit, Calgary, or Anaheim.
D-men from rushing, making the stretch pass, etc. Keith and Seabs have been guilty of a bunch of the d-zone turnovers going into the Olympics, and at least last night, post-Olympics.
I don't see how they can really limit shots much more than what they're doing, though they can limit the turnovers that lead to quality chances.
But, if our goalies can't allow 2 or less goals on 20-25 shots a night, there's no way we get out of the second round.
One of them better find his game, and hang onto it. I don't care which one it is.
Steve,
Props to you as well. I believe you made a point earlier today, that when Seabrook coughed up the puck in the first period - which lead directly to the Isles first goal - neither Foley or Konroyd said anything about it. However, in the second period, when Jonssen turned the puck over in the corner, Foley jumped all over him and this was way before it eventually led to a goal. In my opinion Seabrook has been a turnover machine going back to about a month before the Olympic break. He also tried to make a long cross ice pass against team USA in the gold medal game that was picked off and you could hear a huge groan through the crowd (obviously coming from the Canadian fans). Prior to the last month, especially earlier in the season, I thought he was playing great, but for some reason, he seems to have hit a wall and is constantly turning over the puck which is leading to goals or at the very least, great scoring chances for the opposition.
I brought up that earlier in the year, and got chastied for it.
Seabrook makes some very good passes (see Kane in the 3rd period), but he also air mails a lot of unnecessary passes that lead to icings and defensive zone draws for tired guys.
I did hear the groans, and I think that's why his hair was perfectly combed, and dry when they got their medals after the game....he got benched.
Steve,
My problem is that no matter how good you are defensively, when you play good young offensive teams like the Kings or the Coyotes or when you play experienced teams like Detroit and Anaheim, they are going to get their chances offensively. True, you can limit those chances to some degree, but those teams are just too good to not create offensive chances throughout a 60 minute game. When they do create those chances, your goalie has to be able to make the save. Right now, I have no confidence in Huet or Niemi and my thoughts on that go way past just last nights awful performance. Hell, how many games in the last few weeks prior to the Olympics did the Hawks defensive only give up around 18 to 22 shots with maybe only 5 or 6 of those being excellent scoring opportunities, yet we still have to go to a shootout to win. Last night though was one of the first times that I can remember where the bad goals that were let in by Niemi, then Huet really seemed to deflate the team and suck the life out of them. The goaltending has been poor in many games, yet the team would always seem to battle back to win or at least get a point after coming from behind. I did not see that last night. As I said, it was the first time I could actually remember poor goaltending play seeming to effect them as it did last night.
I thought the same thing. Especially in that 2nd period. They looked deflated, and beaten. Islanders just kept on coming, and the Hawks looked like they were just waiting for that game to end...
Big story on who starts tonight.....
Steve, the answer to that is guys within the room need to step up. Would it have been nice to pickup Vokoun? Sure. We have to remember we have a fantastic record and we didn't get to this point without some decent goaltending.
The first step is that guys need to start finishing their checks and taking the body on a regular basis. This is EVERYONE. Not just the Ladd's, Buff's, and Seabrooks of the world. The last 10-15 games or so our guys simply haven't been playing physical enough. Yes, we have a puck possession type team that generates alot of scoring chances but when we don't have the puck we spend WAY too much time trying to poke the puck away and not pounding guys into the corners. If Q can get the guys to start being accountable for this physical style of play and making smart decisions in our own end, we should be fine.
I too was hoping for a trade in net, but the asking price for all goalies mentioned was way too high and had too much of an impact on the organization down the line. Let's face it, the Hawk turnovers in the D zone as well as their overall coverage have been horrendous. Let's put this in perspective. Why haven't I heard one comment as to how soft Crosby's goal on Miller was in the G-medal game? That five hole looked Hueylike. My feeling is that the Hawks have just enough in net to win the Cup. But I've been wrong before.
That goal was a weak goal, but USA does not even sniff the gold medal game if not for Miller. He was phenomenal in the first game against Canada and not far off that in the second game. The problem is when a goalie the caliber of Miller or Brodeur of Hiller or Lundquist give up a bad goal or have a bad game, you, as a fan, are shocked because it's something you rarely see happen. When Huet has one of those games or gives up that type of goal, you've seen it so many times that it's almost expected. The best way for Huet and/or Niemi to shut up their critics is to play well, and to play well consistently. So far, although they have had their moments, I have yet to see it.
to show some guys that this game isn't all about skating and cycling on the perimeter. Another poster mentioned this in another blog, grinder I think, that puck control on the outside allows the defense to protect the middle and the net. Our shifts become lazy and we don't tire the other team out. AGREE 1000%. Its a good skill to have, controlling the puck for 30 seconds straight, but sooner or later someone needs to get their nose dirty and get to the money zone, in front of the net. 40 shots from the perimeter does not = goals...unless your plan is to randomly bank shots off guys sticks and skates.
Does Huet calm down and not worry about being traded as fragile as he is. Does Niemi realize he no longer has try and prove he is the best goalie in the league (feeling he has to outplay every goalie rumored to be headed here the last month) and settle down and just give his teamates a chance to win. Hope so.
Gotta feel like the Caps had a good day strengthening their team. They are definitely the team to beat now in the East.
I suspect everyone has experienced this at one time or another. Your #1 goalie, or even your only goalie, can't play. The result is that the team plays a tighter and more disciplined game in front of the back up (or open net) knowing they can't afford to let a shot get through.
It can be argued that the Hawks have been doing this all season since they lead in fewest shots and most blocks.
After last night no one can be feeling to good about letting a shot get through. Now that the roster is set I think the Hawks will play like it's an open net behind them.
Ironically, it may be a good thing for the Hawks in the short term.
We've seen too many times this year alone where we've outplayed our opponents by a wide margin for 20 minutes or so only to be deflated by a soft goal or goals and then go on to be handled fairly easily the rest of the game. Last night was only the latest example. I'm puking right now and can't wait to hear the spin on how good we are and how we have one of the top GAA in the league and how Huet and Niemi can lead us to the cup and how the salary cap won't completely decimate this team and how we're having a Heritage Night for Mike Peluso and how we're adding a second fan convention because the first one sold out so quickly and how ticket prices will be increased next year because of the economics of the game and how Stan Bowman is next in line in the Hawks organization for executive of the year and about how we should wait 'till next year when, for the third year in a row, we'll have "One Goal"! [Notice how nobody in the Hawks hierarchy ever defines the "One Goal" and all of the commercials promoting "One Goal" have different players telling us what their one or two goals are for the year and never is a Stanley Cup mentioned... Maybe the "One Goal" of the Hawks brass is really just to keep the UC full every night. Still puking!]
But I was just trying to put a positive spin on something I am none to happy with (kinda like: sure, I'll take a pay cut because at least I still have a job).
The part I cannot get past is those god awful, inexcusable and sickening wrap-arounds by Huet.
I'm tired of it! Puke! Blah! All the time, puke!
Thanks.
It's the eye test. Hawks have dominated a LOT of games only to have their goalies let in terrible goals that cost them points.
That was a long and angry rant there.....I am impressed.
in such an emotional game, you can't discount the effect a soft goal has on a team. you are controlling the game then BAM, soft goal. you start rolling your eyes at your fellow defenseman, you lay off the aggressiveness. and guess what, the other team starts shooting from EVERYWHERE. not good times
hey orchard, the emotion in that really came through when i noticed, after like 6000 characters of text, you failed to use a period. cheers buddy, but no worries, this team is young and still wants it. just neds to get that kick in the arse...hope it comes soon.
I think there was a period involved there somewhere............