Everything Else

Two More Years Of Chicken Hawk

By Sam Fels 1475 0

The news of the day is that the Hawks have extended Andrew Shaw, who was due to be a restricted free agent at the end of the year, for two more years at a $2 million cap hit. It’s another bridge deal from Stan Bowman, using the complete lack of leverage a prospective RFA has to get a key player in at a very reasonable rate.

Shaw joins Kruger and Leddy on the list of those who are being asked to help out with the cap situation for a couple years before hopefully being rewarded. Shaw’s deal will expire the year after Kruger’s and Leddy’s, and in Kruger’s case should make for interesting watching as they could be competing for the same spot then depending on the development of some other prospects (namely Phillip Danault, who has said the Hawks have literally told him to be another Kruger). It would also be the same year that Brandon Saad would be a restricted free agent, but there’s utterly no chance that Stan is going to let Saad get anywhere near free agency and he will get a two or three year extension.

Everything Else

Cheli And A Couple Other Notes

By Sam Fels 1640 0

This past weekend, the best defenseman in Hawks history went into the hockey Hall of Fame. And nary a word was mentioned around town. Or at least that’s how it felt. Sure, there was a Bears game and the Bulls have started. But we know that’s not the reason. But instead of trying to improve on what my brother The Ombudsman wrote in yesterday’s Indian, I’ll just provide it here.

Everything Else

Putting On The Oil: Oilers 4 – Hawks 5

By Sam Fels 1188 0

Suppose it doesn’t come down to much more than “job done.” The Hawks were sloppy for most of tonight’s game. They were uninterested for a portion. They played just long enough to beat the West’s worst team, which for them isn’t all that long. Basically the end of the 2nd period (a period which they were outplayed) and most of the 3rd. It was enough, and I guess on the second of a back-to-back that’s enough. But maybe we should aim higher.

Whereas last night it was the Hawks top line that saw them have just enough against a huffing and puffing lower tier team, tonight it was the second line, be it Brandon Saad or Patrick Kane moonlighting on the 3rd. This is probably where I say that’s the mark of a good team, in that it’s someone different every night. Nothing revelatory about the win, but it’s a win. Let’s get to the bullets.

Everything Else

Did You Ever See Dallas From A DC-9 At Night?: Hawks at Stars Preview/Pregame Thread/Wheatgrass Cleanse

By Sam Fels 1236 0

Hawk Wrestler vs. Texas Jack

FACEOFF: 7pm Central

TV/RADIO: WGN for both

GET YOUR BISCUITS IN THE OVEN AND YOUR BUNS IN THE BED: Defending Big D

At little while ago, this weekend looked like another cupcake gauntlet for the Hawks (mmmmm, cupcake gauntlet… ). The Stars and Oilers were both near the bottom of their respective divisions, and to be kind to them they were both struggling to adapt to new coaches. However, the volume has turned up slightly as the Stars have won three in a row – two in the home run derby and one in overtime. However, two of the wins came in Boston and Detroit, so it’s not to be sneezed at like some black mold. If this were NBA JAM, the play-by-play guy would tell us the Stars are heating up (yes, I know it only took three straight shots in NBA JAM to be on fire, but two shootout wins and an OT win don’t scream “on fire!” to me quite yet. So shut up).

Everything Else

Blue Collared Tweekers: Jets 1 – Hawks 4

By Sam Fels 1288 0

Hey, remember when we were all sad that the Columbus Blue Jackets weren’t around anymore to provide 9-12 points in the bank? They still are. They’re just called the Winnipeg Jets now.

The Hawks once again barely got out of a yawn and a stretch, and seemingly with one swipe or their arm put themselves far ahead enough of the Jets to basically put their hand on Winnipeg’s forechead and let them charge and swing and miss for the rest of the night. It really doesn’t get much simpler.

Let’s get right to the bullets:

Everything Else

Angry At Numbers

By Sam Fels 1436 0

While I’ve been leading the bitch about Q brigade for at least the past three years (it’s lonely and cold out here), there comes a point where you have to dig into the evidence and see if you’re just spouting nonsense. Or at least more nonsense than usual.

So before we take a look into some of the metrics we have on Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri, a couple caveats. One, they’ve played a combined 15 games, and that’s not really much of a sample either way to get a true reading. Two, by no means am I certain that they are the answers for their respective positions. I really have no idea. What I do know is that I want to find out, and I think we can only do that if they get a fair shake.

So, what do we know? Well, the numbers kind of break both ways.

Everything Else

Sell The Kids For Food

By Sam Fels 1331 0

I haven’t done this yet this year, so let’s change that by taking a look deeper into the system and see how some of the Hawks’ kids are doing.

The Hawks only have four players in juniors this year. They are Travis Brown of Moose Jaw in the WHL, Dillon Fournier with Rouyn-Noranda in the Q, and this year’s first round pick Ryan Hartman at Plymouth in the OHL for skaters, and goalie Brandon Whitney at Victoriaville in the Q.