Bowman: We like our team
Stan Bowman has not wavered in his belief goaltenders Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi can lead the team to the Stanley Cup.
But actions spoke louder than words on Wednesday as the Blackhawks general manager let the trade deadline pass without acquiring the goaltender some believed the Hawks needed to go all the way.
Now it's up to Huet and Niemi to prove Bowman's faith in them is well placed.
“I think our goaltending has been strong all year long,” Bowman said. “I think on balance you’ve got to look at the whole season and it hasn’t been a problem for us.
“We have confidence in our goaltenders. We’re a team and we win as a team and lose at a team. I don’t think it’s fair to put it on one position.”
Bowman didn’t deny talking to other teams about a goalie before the deadline.
“We talked about every player, really,” Bowman said. “We didn’t target any one area. We’re trying to make our team better and if we can do that we jump on it.
“We’re really happy with the group we have here. We’ve accomplished a lot so far. We have a long way to go to meet our goal, but we’re really happy with our group so to just disrupt that at this point just to say you’ve made a trade, it wasn’t going to happen. There wasn’t anything there that really made a lot of sense to us.”
Huet was to start Wednesday’s game against Edmonton and coach Joel Quenneville sounded as if he was going to give the veteran every chance to be the No. 1 guy going into the playoffs.
Quenneville said he wanted to settle on one goalie for the playoffs.
“Into the playoffs at some point near the stretch run whether it’s clear, but at the same time they’re both going to get a chance to play and we’ll definitely be riding one guy for the playoffs,” Quenneville said.
“Huey is playing and he has a great chance to keep playing. Sometimes you reflect back and a guy gets hot and you might ride him, but certainly we look forward to Huey taking charge here.”
That was a pretty bold statement about comparing our potential to the Oiler teams of the 80`s. The coincidental minors rule change in which 4 on 4 was a stapel back than make the offensive stats impossible to compare (and Gretzky`s 200 points) but what i can see is our skating compares well (Gretzky Messier Kurri Anderson Coffey) on the Oilers first Cup team (83/84) and definitely our defense is more mobile as a unit! Goaltending and team defense were never a strong point for Edmonton in the 80s until the playoffs but they never gave up less than 272 goals in the regular season which is still high when comparing them to other teams where they never finished better than 6th over in GAA and that was by far there best.
It did take the Oilers 5 years to win a cup after assembling a team around Gretzky but 4 years to get to the finals. Where do we rate?
This is currently year 3 for Toews/Kane which makes us 1 year ahead of the Great Oiler teams if we make the finals this year!
Its a good debate but I feel funny comparing us to a team with Wayne in his prime!
Going to see the Walleye play the Trenton Devils tonight. I see that Rockford recently sent down Danis-Pepin and Aliu. Should be interesting to see these Hawks draft picks up close. Danis-Pepin obviously got sent down to get him more ice time now that the Hawks have picked up Richmond, Boynton, and Cullimore. I'm a little suprised they sent Aliu down though.
Anyone know if Aliu was struggling or having problems in Rockford?
Hoping Aliu can provide some grit to a pretty soft team here in Toledo.
In an ideal world, I would still have taken my chances with RoloCop...IF we could a found a way to do it.
LMAO re: Dominic Moore.
The team he may say is good enough to win...after THEIR latest additions....and they might just have to beat Wolves for western division -- is your Rockford Icehogs. They do have the very good Toivenen and Crawford ( good as in the AHL). They do have Boyton and Cullimore on defense, and sitting prospects who need to play Connelly, DanisPepin, and Aliu wasn't in last night's lineup. To be fair, you have to look at the lineup game-to-game and see whom is and isn't playing. Boyton should be in Chicago right now. Need to see how he looks on third pair. He is signed to what terms contract, anyway?
Technically would have to play in the 2010-11 season to be considered playing NHL in three decades, even if just for the honor of a one game call up....hometown hero (?) Chellios. How ironic that he was arrested near Blackhawk drive, and according to last DH story I saw, he should beat the charges. Khabby same charges in Phoenix recently; can he return and play well for Edm? For half of one season, anyway before injuries again?
I'm not the only one that said Doubnyk "kept them in the game," Pete, Pat and Eddie O mentiioned it on numerous occasions!!! Also said we could have had 9 or 10 G if we just converted some opportunities there.
HUET HAS NEVER WON A PLAYOFF SERIES....Nuff said.
Nuff said. Give a list of netminders -- available this season and reasonably acquirable -- who have.
Neither has Vokoun.....just sayin'
I'm very disappointed in this organization for not coming up with a trade for a goalie. We know about Huet's weaknesses, but still a Stanley Cup team makes that trade. I'm very worried about this team in the playoffs and feel this is almost like that '91 team that lost in the 1st round to the North Stars. They'd have to score about 5-7 every playoff game to cover up for the mistakes of the goalie. I would love to believe that we'd win the Cup, but I just can't see it happening with these goalies. Dubnyk was 0-6-1 going into last night and kept EDM in the game!! Shouldn't happen to a Cup contender.
I like many Hawks fans do NOT like what we have in net. However, did you actually expect an NHL team out there to take Huet and that contract. Seriously?? This is NHL 10' on the Playstation 3, this is real life. It was a horrible contract that Tallon took on, one of his few mistakes.....and a grave one at that.
It's too bad their is a cap in hockey, because if there was not, the Hawks would be the relative NY Yankees prospectively and we'd steamroll our way to a couple cups if not more over the next five years.
However, we all must deal in reality, not fantasy land. The Bowmans had no real ability to deal this guy, and none of what was out there made sense in the long run to our plans as a unit for now...but especially down the road.
I expected they would go after another guy to put the puck in the net, not to keep them out, and I was wrong too. These guys know what they're doing, and this franchise is certainly in much better hands with them then it is with me, or any of the armchair Playstation 3 GM's blogging on here.
This team is tied for the number 1 spot in the West, with a team geared towards making a run deep into the postseason. This idiocy I'm hearing that they won't even make it out of the first round is just that. Pure idiocy. Is there a chance of that? Sure. It is likely? Highly Unlikely folks as we dominated our opponents thus far this season.
Sit back, RELAX, and let's see how this team plays over the next ten games, against the leagues postseason bound teams.
I like management to actually do some work instead of just spending money and raising ticket prices.
This management team - do you really think they know what they are doing? Only time will tell and otherwise it is open to opinion. And I am saying you are wrong. They could not move Huet for two years now. Enough said!!!!!! One of the reasons Huet gets beat up so bad, he is making tons of money and taking up lots of cap space that could be used other ways - just not sitting on the bench.
The Hawks really did have a good chance last year and who did we get at the trade deadline - Paulson. And we had 12mil in goalies where 5.6 sat on the bench - Detroit has 2 mil in goalies - - - hmmmm.
I do agree with you about maybe getting some additional scoring - because the Hawks will need to score some goals because our goalies will let in 2 or 3 every game. I still like Niemi, play this kid more and lets see what this man has. Otherwise, don't sign him for more than 2mil in the summer, otherwise let him go. Because we will have Huet probably again next season. i am not totally against Huet, but Huet needs to raise his game to another level to atone for that contract. It is a contract year, maybe he plays better.
And Aztec - there is no difference between 1 and 8 th place, especially when the playoffs start, the only advantage is home team. The one bright spot that i have noticed, the playoffs are more physical and that seems to effect the Hawks very postively.
Oh one other comment concerning soft goals - it hurts the team pyschologically as well as on the scoreboard - heard that several times during the olympics. And when you goalie makes a big stop - it is a big boost.
I love the salary cap, and think it's a tremendous flaw that the dinosaurs in suits have failed to change over at MLB. Keeping franchises competitive is extremely important. The NFL and NHL have done a tremendous job with the NBA just trailing in that category.
The picked up Hossa, re-signed Keith, Towes, and Kaner, that in itself right there is something to rest your head on. What I don't get with Hawks fans is why they think it is so easy to move a 34 yr old average goalie who makes five in a half million dollars a year? I mean do you people honestly believe this is something you can fault our organization for? Beyond some moron who takes over as the GM of another club with the cap space to even entertain this idea, this is near impossible. Which is why it hasn't been done. I am convinced they attempted to shed this contract, it's the most intelligent thing to do not too mention the most prudent going into the offseason. A deal that actually MADE SENSE just was not out there and you see why Huet is still wearing the Indian head.
I thought for sure the Hawks would have picked up another mid level scorer for the stretch run, but I was wrong. I also don't pretend to be an expert by any means on the business of how hockey is run, nor was I privy to the possible deals these GMs shared. What I am confidnent in is......Scotty Bowman's ability to put together hockey teams that can make a run at a cup. He has his son's ear every step of the way, and that to me is what is truly important. Because let's be honest here, if I had to choose between Tim's armchair cowboy bloggers, or maybe the greatest hockey mind that has ever lived. Hmm....tough choice. Need I say more?
There is no difference between a 1 and an 8 seed? I beg to differ greatly, see one team barely made the playoffs while another team dominated the NHL as a whole. Yes we can all point to the recent upset of the Sharks by the Ducks last year but that Ducks team talent wise not a number 8 seed other than number only. I'm also pretty sure (Although I do not have the numbers in front of me for exact figures) that one seeds have dominated 8 seeds in the NHL playoffs as a whole since this format was first begun.
Soft goals are brutal. Huet and Niemi is what we have going forward, I hope they get the job done over the last twenty games and that one of these two gets hot for the playoffs. Because if one of them does, then the Hawks have a real good shot at bringing home a Cup for the first time since the JFK administration.
I wonder what we'll complain about then?
I and others have said the samething numerous times about the cap, goaltending however its always gonna be a hot button issue to people who want Huet gone!
If we win the cup with Huet in goal the nay sayers will comment...lets see him do it again!!
Again, Washington didn't trade for a goalie either. They made their moves to cover up for them, as did we with Johnsson.
Dude, how is it Huet's fault that Dubnyk 'kept them in the game'? By the way he got scored on FIVE times, how is that keeping them in the game? Anyone ragging on Huet for the two goals that went in needs to have their head examined. Niether one should have been goals! The first was under his leg and according to Mike Havilands 2nd intermission report, 3 of the refs claimed the couldn't see it (which means you STOP THE PLAY), the fourth ref didn't comment. As for the second goal, the play should have stopped when Hammer was victimized and the Oiler took control of the puck. That was a late Christmas present to the Oil from the zebras.
Our goalies are not adept at high glove side shots. We all know it. They also do not have really long glowing resumes. But they have NEVER been to the SCF and for that reason alone NOT ONE DANG person here or anywhere can say whether they will fail when put in that position.
And by the way, just because you want to make a trade, doesn't mean the other GMs will comply. Maybe there were no takers, and maybe Vokoun (the only real available guy) is not very high on the Bowmans's list of candidates. Its not like Vokoun has two Cups and a Vezina...
All the wannabe GMs seem to think that other teams with proven upgrades to our goalies are lining up to help us out.
No sense giving players/prospects away for a Turco or a Roloson. And what do you do with Huet? If he's as bad as you say, why would any team take him and his salary? Unless you pay again in good players/prospects to get rid of him. Then suppose he or another key player gets hurt? You no longer have the depth to cover for an injury up front or on D.
This team has a longer window than this year. There will be reshuffling all over the place this summer, not just in Chicago. Our core players are signed long term and as a group are second to none in the league.
Absolutely...Vokoun hasn't won a pressure play-off series, just like Huet hasn't or Niemi hasn't as opposed to Roloson (who I NEVER wanted here cap room or not) who HAS STOOD On his head in a series...
The first goalie took a matter of seconds to go in. If Huet hugged the post like a goalie should have it would not have gone in. The replay showed that and the other 3 officals stated they could see the puck which only took 1 whack to go in. Prior to the second goal a call should have been made. Are we not all taught to play until we hear a whistle? They shot a weak shot through his 5 hole. Bottom line the two goals were easy saves and should have been made. The other point is a good one but the Hawks did fire 47 shots at the goalie not the norm of 30 - 35. Kind of a big difference when you think about it. I do agree that most likely the Hawks could not find a taker of his massive contract. Huet is being paid Allstar money even though he is far from it. So until this summer we are stuck with him. But so say we do not know what he will do in the playoffs is easier to predicted given what he has done in his two years here and what he did in the winter classic when all eyes were on him. Vokoun on the other hand has a ton of experience (no cup, or vezina) and his stats do speak for themselves. Vokoun has never played on a great team in his career so who knows what he is capable of, but based on his stats he could be great with the right guys.
Huet should have stopped both goals but also both goals shouldn't have been allowed by the officials. Either way, we shall see what happens tomorrow and Sunday. Those will be the start of the real tests.
A month ago I poured cold water on Niemi taking and holding the #1 job because I stated at the time they are similar goalies, for better or for worse!! If we hold the opposition to 3 goals or under we should be able to win most of those games including playoffs.
The Vukoun rumors were a farce not becuase of the price he would have cost but for price in dollars that Florida would have been asked to swallow. Regardless of the picks and prospects we could have offered, no one knows what Stan was offering if anything and if Florida had any interest in another big contract! (Versteeg)
Line combinations: Well said Wiz
I agree with all the posters who are sick of the negative BS on here... we arent a perfect team and have some problems but nothing major and thats includes Goaltending!
I wish I understood why Wolski and Mueller changed hands -- thought both were pretty good young players. Course, some outsiders probably question the Barker deal. I don't figure why the Avs and Yotes wouldn't add some veterans (besides 97-year-old Yelle) for some playoff tutoring.
As for the Caps, I think they're playing with fire. Four more changes to their lineup after dealing away their captain in the fall?
By the way, if the season ended today we'd have Detroit.
I think I can answer the Mueller part: this kid was never quite the player as a Centre to be considered in the Toews ability sphere, especially due to his skating, but also be cause despite a good hard shot being his biggest plus and his head and feet not reacting at major league pace.
Last year they try and utilize him as a RW away from the pivot. This year he is back at centre. He was simply unhappy with the results with the Coyotes, and even though their hopes were about building around this young forward group of Hanzel, boedker, Turris, Tikonov, etc., Mueller wasn't feeling the love and their early patient handling of him was, day by day, degenerating, and he asked through his agent (... in a contract year where Mueller KNEW he did little to deserve a bump up in pay...) for a trade.
Wolski is making 2.8 mil and his contract ends with him in RFA*status. All you have to do is watch and listen to the Colorado rah rah announcers and they will convince of his budding superstardom, dominant abilities. The reality is he score 20 goals once (22) and averaged less than 20 in three seasons, a little better than Andrew Ladd numbers with less all around jam in his game.
Despite upside, Wolski is the best player, but worth More than his present salary of 2.8 after a possible arbitration or the team giving him a RAISE?
Porter (former Hawk draftee the Hawks let go unsigned) is also a rfa due to make 954,250 if brought to major league club, who has some jam and skills but was "skille
-ed" in Phoenix.
I think the Avalanche wins this based on possible upside of two versus one, and this is back in ge day the only type trade you saw in the original six where teams got an equal chance of return benefits not Kovalchuk type scale shakers where one team prays at least part of the return becomes some sort of fan favorite
.
I think you can protray George McPhee's moves as a response and respect for the WESTERN DIVISION clubs and Pittsburgh.
Without much effort or resources, he added pieces inside his cap space.
He was able to add two lunch pails in
Scott Walker (who he knew while they were in Vanc. Canucks organization)
and Belanger who is a PK?face-off guy, and
an extra rushing defender in Corvo.
The two Hurricanes come with good leadership and playoff experience, and can be on ice teachers and coaches.
All three provide Washington with the depth of in and out line-up players to suit the team/situation.
They just provides an on-ice plug that their present regualrs can learn from.
The CAP space was the key for these pick ups because if you can make a move without having to remove a rostered guy, you just got stronger when an injury comes.
Milan Jurcine is out 4 -6 weeks in need of an abdominal surgery....
We drafted Chris Porter and let him go unsigned and he is in the St. Louis organization. Kevin Porter (who was traded to Colorado) is the former Hobey Baker winner that Phoenix drafted.
brain fart
I agree about the Caps. I thought it was odd they were so active given where they are in the standings. Seeing as none of the top goalies changed hands I figure they got into discussions about all those guys but maybe like the Hawks found the asking price too high. So instead of hoping they could win as they are, they went out and got more offense and defense. Improve the team in front of Theodore/Varlamov and you improve them. Will be a good comparison to watch them and the Hawks the rest of this year.
I have talked to Burkie one on one and I love that a guy in a gm position who is so candid. My good buddy the original Blackhawk Bob (now GM Bob due to a blog pretender stealing his handle) would email Burke with questions about past years trade situations and presumptions and Burke would answer honest and forthright. But back to this blogs title:
It is totally clear they are following the Detriot deadwing philosophy that your Osgood can win it because of dominant puck possession and overall defensive prowess.
NO ONE HERE CAN DENY THAT IS WHAT THEY THINK.
Let's just suppose that the one descent goalie out there wasn't willing to waive his no trade clause because the Hawks refused to commit to a long term extention and a new no trade clause. Let us assume that the asking price was high, almost ransom- like, which is par with what I would say buyers paid.
Siedenberg for example...to pay a second for him and others has me scratching my body.
So my point:
(is I am defending Bowman's press interview)
Just WHAT did you expect him to say?,
"...we have a top three team, a top GAA average , and we couldn't get it done, for whatever our reasons are, we are going with these two guys because
we brought the guy in from Finland to improve &
the French guy was our replacement for the Russian guy who gave us only one good year of high priced contract and that was because he wanted to prove something and continue to make North American money and live in Phoenix..."
This is still a fun team that may just go places.
With the deadline gone, I have no choice but get on board for the ride, and not fall off, to become a speed bump under tires.
P.S. Will you guys stop with the continual typing in of line freaking combinations?
If you watch the game, the Coaching staff your team has has a good idea how to continually mix and match, AS ALL NHL coaches do.
The day of 4 set lines is gone obsolete, like your posted lines are, so STOP already!
Just wanted to stop here and tell you that I've always enjoyed your posts. Didn't always agree, but your posts always display good hockey knowledge.
I'm off this board. Too much negativity. I've never seen a team that is doing so well on the season shown so much disrespect from their so called fans.
So to you and a few others on this board that I respect thanks and goodbye.
it gets better...the new experts leave, or adjust.
I will be good, i promise.
I don't discount that theory, and I am sure everyone in that war room picked Scottie's brain to see if he thought Huet or Niemi could be an Osgood and be good enough to win games. Not steal them, but not give them away either.
My question is, do we have that guy? If that's the philosphy, then I would assume as of today, that guy is Niemi. Now, if they can Huet right, and his fundamentals back in order, Huet has proven he can be very good. I just wonder how long, and how many chances Huet will get to fix his flaws over these last 20 games?
The debate lies in do you go with a rookie in net, or a guy that is prone to letting in some bad goals? Both of which can kill this team. Bulin's stats from last year were far from great, but he did make some HUGE saves early on in games 1 and 2 vs Calgary. Plus, this team needs to know who is going to be that guy, so they can get comfortable playing in front of him. Especially, the defense.
Like I have said before, there isn't a team in the west that I don't think the Hawks can't beat in a 7 game series. Some teams I would prefer to stay away from, but this isn't the east with New Jersey, Pittsburgh, or Washington....
Im still willing to take my chances with the goalies we have despite the overwhelming backlash on here.
In the playoffs , I expect Chicago to use their speed and aggressive puck control to frustrate teams and this usually lessens the burden in the defensive end.
Chicago is a team built for the playoffs and it is possible to take a game or two in the regular season like the Islanders recently did but in the playoffs fluke goals and a few "softies" dont decide a playoff fate.
for those who say Huet hasnt won a playoff series, I invite you to look at his stats in 2005/06 in Montreal and Wash 2007/08 where he won some big games especially vs Carolina before succumbing to the eventual Stanley Cup champs. Wash had a weak team 2 years ago and Huet played every playoff game for them.
I dont care who plays in net come playoff time but im confident we are going to the finals this year regardless
Some series would be tough back-to back. If the Hawks draw a 7 or 8 seed Det, followed by Vanc, then SJ, then Wash or Pitt..OUCH. Of course if there a few western conf. upsets and the road is Nash, Colo, Phnx, or even Cal in this mix, before a Wsh or Pitt final..then Stan-Pat might have rolled the dice and can breathe easy. I just know one thing, I'm glad we did not resign Khabibulin. Plus the hawks did more than pick Scotties brain..he was the brain. In the meantime we can watch the new movie..kinda like To Live and Die in LA, is now To Live and Die with Huet.
I started a Tweeter account as the Hawks embarked to Finland and the only tweets in their are about this goaltending "problem", which I never thought would rear up and bite us UNTIL Huet reached the 50 game mark. I wouldn't let this achille's heel stuck in the back of my mind to be taken out, no matter how the wins, GAAs, and good plays I saw him making.
The Wrigley Game would just keep appearing, and the times in Montreal where I would see him, wonder where this good goalie came from, only to have him disappoint before the match ended, destrying my Huet-buzz
After his two playoff starts including the win, I felt that the Hawk back up that was supposed to be the starter but Knabby angered himself into playing lights out and for a new contract somewhere, was a GOOD GOALTENDER, and TEAM GUY, and his unselfishness and patience showed through with playoff win in front of these upstart never say die newbies.
I DO think his pay is too much much, but still, he would BE IN WASHINGTON for just a little bit less than TALLON felt he needed to throw out there to lure him away.
McPhee and Tallon are both not idiots, and I think neither felt that Huet was on the verge of some special ascension to goalie greatness, and that by the end of his career that he would be in the Hall of Fame next to Luongo, or Brodeur, or even that he had the level of competence of a Kiprusoff or Nabokov,
but JUST that he would PROVIDE enough techinical competence that the teams would win and improve for the SALARY they OFFERED him.
Last year I thought they could beat everyone including Detroit, but NEVER thought they couldn't also get eliminated by Calgary or Vancouver or Detroit, much less S J !!!
This year, I do agree they CAN BEAT ANYONE, but
that Ryan Kesler scares me,
a Calgary rematch scares me,
a San Jose series of up top goals over a lower positioned goal hand scare me,
along with the fact that even the the last two opponenst have taken the long defenseman to the other blue line break pass away.
I worry not only that the goalie falters but that the possession-based games, where they don't fill the net, lead to letting teams linger.
I worry that they cuteness of our basketball style goes out of vogue due to "even-out refereeing."
But the bottom line is
I CANNOT CONTROL ANY PART OF THIS TEAMS PLAYOFF FUTURE, AND I KNOW SOME OF THESE GUYS ARE GOING BYE-BYE BEFORE NEXT FALL,
no matter where we end up in our teams playoff race,
...and I want to try and enjoy it, and not say, "I told you so any more", because teams like this one's on-ice abilities are rare,
and when I was a wee tyke, I was fortunate enough to see that "look" in Rocket Richards eyes whe he beared down on Glen Hall, and that Monteal power-house skilled fast paced passing offense,where little rocket Henri had to wait for a roster spot, because the HABS were full of skill already...
Well, THIS HAWK team's skill level is by far better man for man that ANY I have watched in decades, INCLUDING the star-laden Edmonton Messier Anderson Kurri Gretsky expansion teams...
there I said it.
...and now i am gonna enjoy this team, no matter what someone lese wants to get me to hear, read, or feel....
I just hope the present troubles in goal translate into a
better team presence of mind, and commitment,
so they don't think the laurels of their press clippings is neoug to win Cup games like the Sharks did the last couple of years...
100% agree with you.
While it's nice to outshoot everyone, it's the quality of the shots, the chances, etc that matters most. They can tee up all day long from the half wall or blue line, but they need to create more, but not try to make every goal look like a highlight reel.....if that makes any sense.
That's where the frustration lies with Versteeg. You can see the skill, but the guy just stick handles himself to death. Almost like he's carrying a grenade that has the pin pulled and can't get rid of it in time. I do think he can be a helluva of a instigator if he wanted to be.
These two games should be a very good measuring stick of where we stand.
I also love Kessler. I posted on a previous blog, that I would take Kessler ANY DAY over Dave Bolland.
Are you trying to get a job with the team? Telling us to assume and not deny? Since when are you mister know it all and telling all here what to do? It's opinions, just like yours.
,
I know we have to deal with the hand that's been dealt to us. I accept it also, but like a lot of others here, I still worry about our final line of defense.
You just showed up here ... I guess you may assume my comments were for the educated regulars who spend more time discussing than diss ing ... Chic bh fan blog may be better suited for reckless response that fly over you...
Fun, but good clean fun.
Fun, but good clean fun.
I am happily married.
But was out trolling the bars looking for someone else. No takers so I'm back home with my wife.
Maybe next time I will get lucky.
Damn Tallon for giving me an STD!
Hey Stan, we pay the bills for you, you can't have a team unless you go get a real goaltender. A goaltender is someone who can make saves and play the puck. We don't have that on OUR team. Why didn't you get us one??? Don't you care???
You are a JOKE......
goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie goalie
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Enlighten us all Wannago and tell us how Bowman should have handled the goaltending situation? Name one sane GM that would have taken Huet and his outrageous salary for a #1 goaltender in return. I'll hang up and listen for your answer...........
Stan should of asked B. Murray. He's a real sane one.
All kidding aside, if THE CUP is raised here in Chi-town, I hope they don't hand it off to mister huet. He will either miss it altogether or let it fall and go between his legs.
I feel that Anti is the go to guy more than huet. I go to every game, and it seems the team plays much better with Anti in nets. Like I said before, i accept the team the way it is right now and want to see THE CUP here.
...meatball
What are you hungry?
Nice to see the boys get the "W" last night. Against the Oil, it was expected. Still don't like Huet's habit of following up one goal with letting in another one so quick. Seems like when the opposition gets one I hold my breath for the next minute or so.
With that said, I do think this team (and the netminding) have just as good a chance as anyone else to win it all.
The one thing that I would like to see addressed is the physical play. I don't like our defenseman allowing guys to crash the net, carry the puck behind the net without being touched, and standing in front and banging away without anyone knocking them on their rear.
This is by far one of the softest Hawks teams I've seen in quite some time. The odd thing about it is many of these guys have the ability and have shown in the past an ability to play gritty and mean. It seems the puck possession style that we've decided to play has made everyone turn into a poke checker.
It's time that the defenseman start playing with a chip on their shoulders and start making the opposition worry about crashing the net without any retribution.
I'll be happy when Burish is back in the lineup because I know he'll play hard, fast, and mean. Hopefully that attitude will rub off a little bit because the Hawks could surely use a dose of grit right now.
Stan likes this team ? what else is he going to say ? He couldn't get rid of Huet and that big salary, so his hands were tied. The fact is we have a team that only gives up a handful of shots a game. But every game we have to worry about the goaltending.
How far will that take us in the playoffs.
Time to bring up Crawford and try him for a couple of games I guess
must be seeing things...only seemed that way.
46 shots...another shooting gallery for the opposition goalie who once again has his game of the month.
Think about a night Huet faces 46....no never mind!
Edmonton is awful...needed two blown calls by the refs to score!
Our friends from Vancouver come a callin Friday night; that ought to be a real board cruncher!
On the one hand I've come around to the view that this goalie tandem is not good enough to beat elite NHL teams in long playoff series, which if correct means no Cup this year. Which is really frustrating.
On the other hand nobody else in the conference looks to be without their own significant question marks; so even with the dubious goaltending I'd happily bet even money on this Hawk team against any other current West team in the playoffs. Which isn't the same as winning it all of course, and after yesterday's moves the Capitals are really looking tough, but still, in any given single playoff series (even the Finals) anything can happen.
If Bowman is serious that he's happy with this goaltending then I'd really have to question his judgment. But then again what else would or _should_ he say publicly about the subject? Can't necessarily take that at face value as his true conclusions.
I did like the Barker trade, and he did get it done regarding the Toews/Kane/Keith contracts. And it is true that none of the goalies we've all discussed (Vokoun, Turco, Roloson) got moved which suggests that none of those teams were serious and/or reasonable about such a trade.
So....I dunno. A really mixed picture.
Brilliant blog post eh? Just thinking out loud I guess.
was Vokoun, and they were probably asking the world for him. Didn't make sense to get a question mark like Turco or Roloson. They've not been stellar by any means this year.
Bowman couldn't say much else after not getting another netminder.