Everything Else

Upward Grind – Capitals vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Freshman Orientation

By Matt McClure 1266 0

new-york-daily-news-house-of-turds-cover-boehner vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, WGN-AM 720
What A Bunch Of Clowns: Japer’s Rink, Russian Machine, Puck Buddys

It’s unclear whether or not it’s ironic or appropriate or appropriately ironic that two teams from Washington and Chicago actually begin working on a day that began with a full government shutdown, the literature majors in the audience can determine that. What is clear, however, is that the Blackhawks will tonight raise a banner for the second time in the salary cap era, something no other team has done. And unlike the last time this happened, they’re in an actionable position to do so again.

Everything Else

Michal Michal Motorcycle: Hawks Re-sign Handzus And Rozsival

By Sam Fels 1058 0

So far the Hawks offseason, when not soaked in booze, has been about not losing too much ground. And today they’d done that.

The Hawks re-signed their two Michals, Handzus and Rozsival. Both are on one year deals, which will be part of the continued plan next year as the Hawks will want to open up spots for kids (Danault at center? Clendening or Olsen on the blue line?).

The money for Zus is $1 million, or basically nothing. Handzus, if properly slotted and used, can be still be a pretty good support player. He can’t play 82 games and nor should the Hawks make him, and he really would have no business on the 2nd line other than spot duty. But he might allow Shaw to move to wing where he can make up some of the Frolik-Stalberg gap, can win some draws, and at least be Pirri-pissing-himself insurance.

As for Rozsival, he turned out to be the sneaky-effective signing we thought he might be, and as volatile as the #6 spot on your blue line can be, it’s probably safest to go with what worked before but not go over the top. If Rozie indeed only got another one year deal to stay, that’s fine. He’ll take some games off and will platoon with Brookbank again (or any Hog that pops up big time), and that’s exactly how it should be. We have seen for two consecutive seasons now with two different teams that in the crucible of the playoffs, Rozsival brings his best.

Only Kruger to bring back and to find another backup goalie, which might end up being Antti Raanta anyway.

Update: Rozsival got two years, but not really a huge deal unless the money is just ungodly stupid.

 

Everything Else

All Lost In The Free Agency Market: Defensemen

By Sam Fels 1538 0

Gonna jump around here a bit, as we’ll get to wingers either later today or on the holiday. But the other pretty obvious gap for the Hawks other than center is a #6-7 defenseman, or at least someone to make sure Sheldon Brookbank has a platoon partner. This could easily be solved by simply re-signing Michal Rozsival, but that comes with a couple risks. One, he may have priced himself right out of it with a superb playoff performance. Two, counting on year-to-year consistency from your bottom pairing d-men usually ends up biting you in the ass. Remember how Brent Sopel went from hero in 2008 to hated in 2009 to loved again in 2010? Essentially, your third pairing is your middle relief, and by its very nature can swing wildly from useful to a giant sucking sound one season to the next. We present Shawn Camp as Exhibit A, your honor.

Everything Else

Watch The Corners – Game 3 – Hawks at Bruins Preview, Pregame Thread, Spring Formal

By Matt McClure 1316 0

AltLogo at bruins country bear jamboroo

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, CBC (Anglo), RDS (Franco), WGN-AM 720
Feed The Tree: Cup of Chowder, Days of Y’Orr

Dating back three years to the 2010 Final against Philadelphia, the Hawks have lost the first game away from the United Center in six straight series. Overall in that time frame, the Hawks have gone 7-10 on the road, and 3-4 this post season. And in order to win this series, the Hawks will now have to win at least one game on the road, with the first of potentially three games in Boston tonight.

Everything Else

Well, We’re Waiting – The Committed Indian.com’s Season Preview: The Rest Of The Defense (Part 1)

By Sam Fels 1248 0

We’re starting to run a little short on time here, so I’m just going to wrap up the rest of the blue line in a two-part post here. Another reason to do that, based on what we’ve heard have been the pairs in this “training camp”, is it’s hard to discern which is the second and which is the third. It might just be that the Hawks have their top pair, and then two others that are going to split the rest of the time evenly. This one we’ll just have to see play out.

Everything Else

Well, We're Waiting – The Committed Indian.com's Season Preview: The Rest Of The Defense (Part 1)

By 1016 0

We’re starting to run a little short on time here, so I’m just going to wrap up the rest of the blue line in a two-part post here. Another reason to do that, based on what we’ve heard have been the pairs in this “training camp”, is it’s hard to discern which is the second and which is the third. It might just be that the Hawks have their top pair, and then two others that are going to split the rest of the time evenly. This one we’ll just have to see play out.