Blackhawks 2014-15 Season Thread

[ChicagoIrish]

We're having some big issues getting that puck in the net.

I think we've been dominating puck possession for the most part, and have been piling up the shots, but nothing seems to get thru.

Eventually we're going to start scoring, I'm just hoping it's sooner rather than later.

 

[anotheridiot]

Its the same deal with no screens and no presence. I just like Morin because he has a hard shot, can shoot from every angle, and there always seems to be a rebound if someone was there to get an easy goal. Maybe one day we will see him with an offensive center that will be able to knock those in, but if he continues to pay defensive attention he should be on the ice more, just seems like he falls into the guy Q does not trust out there. Seems like he sits and Smith double shifts with the third and fourth line. Watching SMitty win some big draws yesterday, I would still love to see him in the middle between Mo and Saad.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

I like both Smith and Morin. I think they both have bright futures.

Maybe sometime soon, we'll see Morin playing alongside Teuvo.

 

[anotheridiot]

I like both Smith and Morin. I think they both have bright futures.

Maybe sometime soon, we'll see Morin playing alongside Teuvo.

I think we will need to next season when we need to pay saad and get 7 more players to make up the roster without losing too much more. I just worry that they end up moving Morin and then end up having to lose Sharp and Seabrook to be able to fill the roster, along with not resigning any of our free agents in Richards, Rosie or Oduya.

I am kinda expecting Raanta to be optioned to Rockford today. Just wonder if Darling is the backup if he would play more than Q would let Raanta play.

 

[ChicagoIrish]

I think we will need to next season when we need to pay saad and get 7 more players to make up the roster without losing too much more. I just worry that they end up moving Morin and then end up having to lose Sharp and Seabrook to be able to fill the roster, along with not resigning any of our free agents in Richards, Rosie or Oduya.

I am kinda expecting Raanta to be optioned to Rockford today. Just wonder if Darling is the backup if he would play more than Q would let Raanta play.

After 2 starts, you think Darling has taken the back up role from Raanta?

I hope you're right, I like what I've seen from Darling so far, (who wouldn't?). But I don't know if Q is going to pull the plug on Raanta, just like that.

 

[anotheridiot]

He either played darling both chicago games to let his family see him play, or solidify the fact he is ready to be a player. Either way, Three guys Q praised this preseason were TVR, Darling and Rasmussen.

It just felt wrong that Raanta didnt get the start against Anaheim for a best in the west showdown unless Q was considering it.

 

[JBM73]

Brad Richards finding rhythm with Chicago Blackhawks - ESPN Chicago

 

[JBM73]

 

[anotheridiot]

It looks like Darling just has too much to offer. I bet its even an advantage to have him on the ice during the morning skates and practices so our snipers have a big goalie to go up against.

Tough for Raanta, the team really likes that kid. Maybe its more of a Crawford thing. It was rumored he was sick and did not go in to practice, maybe they expected him to show up sick or not. Is there more to this story?

 

[anotheridiot]

another fun game, more turnovers lead to shots. Oduya slid on the ice and screened Darling on that easy one that got thru his legs, might have even redirected it.

Still one of the minority that enjoys the shootout, sweet moves by Kaner, clanked it, Sharpie finished it. Would have been nice to see Hoss slap one in on his big nite in Ottawa. Darling was ok in the shootout, seems like Ottawa was aiming for the indian head on darlings sweater.

Dont know if giving up four will get him back to Rockford or not, maybe Raanta can play D? lol

 

[Dirk]

Darling went back to Rockford. I think that was always the plan after Crawford got healthy, he just played well enough to get him some extended experience at the NHL level.

Teams are really clamping down on Kane this year as well. Zero time/space when he's got the puck trying to get into the offensive zone and basically shadowing him hard when he's in the O-zone as well.

I also think Oduya deflected that one a bit and it suprised darling. He looked to be in good position for the shot and it looked like it changed direction to me. Dude just looks gigantic in net.

 

[anotheridiot]

he really does look big. He makes his pads look small lol

Yeah, Kane got beat up in Toronto, hawks got into a physical game and were clearly overmatched. Although there was some hitting on our end, Shaw was getting physically abused in front of that net.

Still want to see Rosie and Seabs getting some payback. Reimer was impressive though, 47 shots, 19 blocks for the leafs also. only 27 shots got to crow, 10 blocks by the hawks, clearly was not all back yet, only .889 save percentage.

Interesting after Duncan gave up a few bad plays, Q moved him dowm to the third pair, got TVR ice time against his big brother. Q is showing a soft side, with Darling and TVR, this needs to become a bigger part of this hawks team starting next season, glad he is showing some gratitude for guys that work and impress. Maybe the rest of the rockford kids might think they have a chance.

Stupid 8pm start on a sunday to pay homage to canada some more.

 

[anotheridiot]

more ex players, more elite goaltending from a guy with 6 nhl starts and the hawks hitting him in the chest or glove or in sharps case, the helmet.

Got the shit beat out of them again. play physical against the hawks and they unravel.

Another few great shifts by morin, Eddie points his effort out again, then he immediately misses a shift, replaced by hossa. Just missed a redirect tip then got his helmet ripped off by three thugs. Big Buff with a punch to Kanes head, no call. Seems this late start the refs had a plane to catch.

 

[anotheridiot]

Ben Smith moved way up, First I heard he will center Kane and Sharp, now it sounds like he is playing forward with Toews and Kane. Looking for 3-4 goals a night.

Think I was more excited with Smith centering Kane and Sharp than going to the line with Toews and Kane.

After back to back games, Crow will be back in net against a big challenge tonight.

Whens the last time Raanta played?

 

[JBM73]

Patrick Sharp of Chicago Blackhawks sustains lower-body injury - NHL.com - News

 

[anotheridiot]

That was a tough hit. Looked worse than Kanes last year, he was out three weeks.

Manshinter is a guy the hawks hoped would replace Bollig, so you wonder if they are gonna go physical. He has been in rockford. Q like Rasmussen alot, maybe he gets his chance. Just not sure they are ready to bring Teuvo in.

McNeil and Regin are leading Rockford with 10 points in 11 games. McNeil is a guy that can take the point on the power play. Teuvo has 7 points 1 goal 6 assists, but is a -3.

 

[anotheridiot]

Sharp officially slated for 3-4 weeks off.

Regin recalled, They say Saad will take Sharps spot on the second line. Pretty sure they will stick with Smitty on the top line with kane and toews, they had a great game. Just hope they take the opportunity to move Richards up and maybe get Morin into double digit minutes.

Regin is a good fit for the fourth line, he knows how to hit.

 

[anotheridiot]

Nice redirect by Seabrook on Crawford. Shot was going wide of the net, Seabrook redirected it in as the caps score three in the last 5 minutes of the second and ripped momentum. Versteeg spent most of his time getting too cute. Almost 2:1 on hits, still seems to be the formula, beat the hawks and you beat the hawks.

 

[JBM73]

Rundblad finding comfort level with Hawks - Chicago Blackhawks Blog - ESPN Chicago

Trevor van Riemsdyk takes advantage of increased opportunity - Chicago Blackhawks Blog - ESPN Chicago

 

[anotheridiot]

Runblad is playing better, Q mixed up the first and third pair though, gave TVR some time with Keith, then two lefties, then two righties. Seems he is worried about delegating Oduya or Hammer to the third pair, but ultimately its better for them to keep a lefty with a righty, just need Q to have confidence in all three pairs.