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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Use Me, Trade Me, or Lose Me

Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri are now playing for a different reason. Either Hawks can use them, trade them to a team by the March 5th trade deadline,...or lose them completely.

1)RFD @ UTI2014-02-01-1112-----
2)HAM @ RFD2014-02-04-1123-----
3)IA @ RFD2014-02-0831426-1---
4)UTI @ RFD2014-02-091-1-5-1---
5)CHI @ RFD2014-02-1412312---1-
6)RFD @ IA2014-02-15-22-4-----
7)RFD @ IA2014-02-161-1152--1-
8)CHI @ RFD2014-02-21-11142----
9)MIL @ RFD2014-02-221-1172----
10)RFD @ IA2014-02-252-218-1--1
FEBRUARY TOTALS9817104663-21
SEASON TO DATE TOTALS2021418185475-24


Look at those sick stats by J-Mo. 9 goals in the last 8 games. He has now reached that point per game status. Not far behind,...the AHL's 2013 scoring leader and 2014 AHL All-Star...Brandon Pirri.



1)RFD @ MIL2014-01-241-1-21--1--
2)MIL @ RFD2014-01-25-22-2-----
3)RFD @ MIL2014-01-26----3-----
JANUARY TOTALS123-26--1--
SEASON TO DATE TOTALS4913-6476-12-
1)IA @ RFD2014-02-08----1-----
2)UTI @ RFD2014-02-09112-5---1-
3)CHI @ RFD2014-02-141-1-82----
4)RFD @ IA2014-02-15-11-7-----
5)RFD @ IA2014-02-162-223----1
6)CHI @ RFD2014-02-2111216---1-
7)MIL @ RFD2014-02-221-1-321--1
8)RFD @ IA2014-02-25-11-7-----
FEBRUARY TOTALS641034041-22
SEASON TO DATE TOTALS101323-387101142


He is also at a point per game clip...Both are lighting the lamp regularly too.

Now, I want to pause this information frenzy on both J-Mo and Pirri for a second. I saw an article last week about how 2...or was it 3 people?... from the Rockford IceHogs back a few years ago tore up the AHL, but haven't torn up the NHL. Names mentioned that I can remember, were St. Pierre and  Brower.....

I get the correlation there, but what's the entire purpose of the AHL? Isn't it to prep our players for the NHL game? If they are succeeding heavily on this level, but aren't succeeding on the NHL level,...why does it have to be the players fault? They are doing something right if they are succeeding in the AHL level. So, why isn't it translating? Who knows? It could be the style of play, to the confortability with their line mates in the AHL to the lack thereof in the NHL. Who knows? It could be the pressure to succeed in unrealistic expectations and not a big time frame or not a lot of ice time to prove it either.

Look,...I love my Blackhawks, but there is NO WAY either guy got a fair shot. Morin was barely getting 6 minutes a game in the 4th line. Pirri was also not given the same time frame to succeed. It was completely unrealistic for either player to fit into the Hawks system and succeed with the stranglehold of expectations put on them with the limited amount of ice time they were getting.

So, as both players have been told by Coach Dent, they can play well for other teams to notice or the Hawks will notice their play for their own team. Well, I think the bridge is slowly burning on either end for both players with the Blackhawks organization, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel for both players with other NHL franchises shortly. Which one of these two great AHL starts gets their shot with another hockey club soon? We'll soon find out. March 5th is rapidly approaching.

Good luck to both Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri. I am a fan of both.










Tuesday, February 25, 2014

What's Tweetin' ?

Every so often, I like to see what people are saying about our beloved Blackhawks. Sometimes the tweets will surprise you. Sometimes they are hilarious and sometimes,...well, they're just fun to read.

The Committed Indian @realfansprogram
Brandon Bollig, undrafted free agent, is given rope to learn on the job, but Brandon Pirri, AHL leading scorer & all star game MVP is not....(I completely and utterly agree!!!!)

Craig @_craigtweets
Watching the Blackhawks not bring up Pirri or Morin. Handzus to 2C, Regin used as kind of a swing guy, Smith to the bench to make us mad......I feel your pain dude! )

Scott Powers @espnchipowers
Blackhawks here today are Saad, Versteeg, Bickell, Shaw, Regin, Bollig, Smith, Seabrook, Leddy, Brookbank, Crawford & Raanta. No Olympians.....(Today Handzus and Rozsival showed up)


Sr.DelCampo @elsrdelcampo
New Blackhawks center Peter Regin will wear #12....(Somewhere Kyle Beach is saying  "Aaaah snap!!!")


Sarah Makarewich @sarigirl85
I feel like I was cheating on the Blackhawks for cheering for some of the team USA roster. I'm glad that's over.....( I know exactly what you mean...I had to chear for David Backes, really?)

KRUGER FAN16,DANNY @dannymw1
The Blackhawks are playing the Rangers on Thursday February 27, 2014 at 6:00PM CST....( Thanks for the reminder.)

Len Rogers @rogerslen
Just check the forecast, Blackhawks v Penguins will be Snowdrift part II...( How fun. Glad I'll be watching from home....in the Asian Tropics.)


2014 NHL STADIUM SERIES: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS MARCH 1ST AT…( Also, a good reminder. Don't wish to miss this game.)

Molly Hupp @mollzballz121
Tricking your kids into going to a Bloomington Thunder game by telling them it's the Blackhawks#TotalBloNoMove.... ( That's just cruel. )

Joseph @joegw3
RT @ChrisBottaNHL: NHL U.S. top 5 average TV ratings this season: 1. Penguins 7.67 2. Sabres 5.45 3. Bruins 5.06 4. Blackhawks 4.49 5. Blue…( Jeez. We're below Buffalo? )


Sunday, February 23, 2014

EXTREMELY Perplexing Trade: Bouchard/ Regin

Yeah, after the Olympics,  I continued to look at this trade the Hawks made with the New York Islanders. It is definitely perplexing to me.

The Hawks are continually looking for that 2nd line centerman and to me….they have a fantastic one in   Brandon Pirri. Why the Hawks won't give him his TRUE shot….I still can't understand. Yet, they make this confusing-as-all-hell trade for Peter Regin and Pierre-Marc Bouchard and give up the 2014 4th round pick.

Firstly, the more serviceable center man is Bouchard. Has 10 years experience (9 of which were with the Minnesota Wild)…to be thrown to the wolves (so to speak) by the NY Islanders by having to sign a  2 way contract. WOW! Now, this guy is simply used as an attachment or... dump-off (so to speak), for whom the Hawks really want…and that's Peter Regin……WTF?!!!! Regin over Pirri? What a joke!!!

I have NO idea why the Hawks don't like Pirri. Is it his AHL point leading 2013 season they hate so much? Maybe it's the 2014 AHL All-Star MVP they hate. Or could it be they hate he's almost a point-a-game guy for the IceHogs? Wow!!! Seriously, I'm amazed.

Now, let's continue to look at the Hawks stupidity this year. They get rid of  Ryan Stanton by way of waivers….therefore not getting jack-shit back for one of our top prospects, who has become a stud in Vancouver, and the Hawks chose Michael Kostka instead. Half the time he's a healthy scratch to just recently (today) he got put on waivers. What is going on in Stan Bowman's head? Letter grade: F

Wait!!!!!! There's more… the Hawks selected at the beginning of the season Joakim Nordstrom instead of Jeremy Morin. Are you freakin' kidding me? BTW,…as you have read many of my posts, you all know I love both Morin and Pirri. So,….today is my soapbox day, for I saw this writing on the wall months ago. Letter grade: D-

IF,…and ONLY if the Hawks can bring up Morin or Pirri after Kostka clears waivers, then I'll be able to make some semblance of what is going on in their heads.

I would GUESS that Morin would get that shot,….NOT Pirri,…cuz Regin is a centerman. But, who knows what's going on in their skulls at this moment.  Is Pirri going to be traded? There is some serious interest in this kid right now….why not…HE'S AWESOME!!!!!!!

Reminder: BOTH Morin and Pirri's contracts are finished after this season.

So, to wrap this up, let us say that I believe Stan's way of handling our prospects this year was piss poor. Not a little bad,…freakin' atrocious.  From Stanton to Jimmy Hayes, from Dylan Olsen to Joakim Nordstrom, from Morin to Pirri to Regin for 4th round picks. Whew!!!!!! I'm a bit scared. Time to get on my knees and pray.


Saturday, February 8, 2014

What Does Obtaining Bouchard and Regin Mean For The Hawks?

Let us look at the most recent Stan Bowman trade:

Hawks >>>>>> 4th Round 2014        
Islanders>>>>>> F Peter Regin and F Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Islanders pick up portion of Regin's salary.

I remember Bouchard,…a little, when he was with the Wild. However, he's the one being sent to Rockford as the Hawks made room for Peter Regin.

Both have a bit of NHL experience. But, what does obtaining Regin do for the Hawks?

Newly acquired Peter Regin (will don #12 tonight in Phoenix), is a center man and since the Hawks had to make room for Regin, the demoted Brandon Pirri once again. Poor Brandon. I think his time with the Hawks may be done……if that is the case, look for him to be dumped (as well as Morin…both of whom are on the last year of their contract).



The Royal Half @theroyalhalf
Even Dean Lombardi thinks Stan Bowman fleeced the NY Islanders.

I don't know much about Peter Regin, but I see that L.A. Kings GM Dean Lombardi thinks the Hawks took the Islanders to the cleaners with this deal.

Saad- REGIN- Versteeg (That is the line Regin will be on tonight) Quenneville thinks Regin is a "checker" type player. Do you want a "checker" on the 2nd line? Okay,…so he is only on this line because Kaner is in Buffalo for his grandfathers funeral. Regin will have to fight Handzus for playing time, that is for certain.

Time will tell on the magic of Stan Bowman's trade. It starts tonight,…but remember he doesn't know the Hawks system, yet.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Strong D, Strong Goaltending Smart Play to Defeat Anaheim 2-0

The Chicago Blackhawks looked good tonight. (Again, the Hawks rise to play the better teams in the league). Corey Crawford got his first shutout of the season today saving 29 shots. What was impressive was how the PK played during a 40 second 5 on 3 disadvantage. They stayed focused, centered in their slots and were able to kill that entire penalty.  In the 2nd period, The PK had to fight a 4 minute High sticking penalty caused by Michal Rozsival. The Hawks got a nice goal by Marian Hossa early in the 2nd period,…and from then on just shut the door on Anaheim's offensive attack and blocked everything in site. Hjalmarsson: 6 blocked shots, Keith: 3 blocked shots, Seabrook: 2 blocked shots, Kruger: 3 blocked shots, Brookbank: 2 blocked shots, Rozsival: 4 blocked shots,  Saad and Versteeg: 1 blocked shot each. 22 total blocked shots. WOW! That is how you win a play-off  type game against the team with the league's best record. This was so important to win without letting Anaheim pick up any points. This pulls the Hawks within 1 point of the Ducks.

* Jonathan Toews got back into the + 50% on the face-offs (55%) after being demolished against L.A., S.J. and Vancouver.

* Andrew Shaw has got to learn how to take less "stupid " penalties. This does concern me a little.

* Rozsival looked slow today, but he played well the second half of the game.

* Brookbank looked like he had a wet noodle in his hand rather than a stick much of the first period. He also came to life in the second half of the game.

* Keith normally can win 1 on 1 battles but looked slow racing for a puck in the defensive zone. Guess those legs got a little heavy, eh?

* Patrick Kane will NOT play against Phoenix. He is heading to Buffalo tonight to be there for his grandfather's funeral. Wish him all the best during this time.

* Nick Leddy has played solid defense the past two games. I've enjoyed watching him work that puck from his own end and literally go coast to coast without having the puck swiped from him. He looks good right now.

* Hossa…..what a freakin' move and patience to beat J. Hiller today. #24 for big Hoss.

* Nice to see Jonny (Toews) get his 19th of the season as well.

Hawks will play Friday evening against the Phoenix Coyotes. Hawks haven't done well there in the past. Let's make this a super solid road trip before Sochi.

* Oduya is nursing an injury and is day to day.


Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Hawks Making L.A. Feel Like Home

Hawks have an unbelievable following everywhere they go and it was no exception in Los Angeles tonight when they faced off against the Kings.

Patrick Kane heard some saddening news just prior to taking the ice. His grandfather, whom he was close to, had just passed away. So, Patrick took the ice with a heavy heart. But, 62 seconds into the tilt he scored their only power play goal of the night to take an early 1-0 lead. 7 minutes later Patrick had patient hands on a 3-1 and fed a wide open Bryan Bickell, who one timed a slap shot, for his much needed 8th goal of the season. The Hawks gave up a PPG shortly afterward, but it was truly the play of the 2nd period that makes one wonder if there is a God above who made sure the Hawks had their way tonight. Badly outplayed, face-off's and HITS were ridiculously one sided toward L.A.,  yet the Hawks staved off 3 hit goal posts and split the 2nd period with one goal a piece. This score could have been 4-2 L.A. easily, but the posts were our friend tonight.
In the 3rd period, a totally different story. It was the Hawks who came out firing on all cylinders and the final goal by the Hawks was another Patrick Kane goal from an absolutely sweet pass that slowly crossed the crease to a wide open Kane for his 27th of the year.  Other Hawks Goals: Marcus Kruger tipped in a Nick Leddy blast for his 6th, and Nick Leddy got one all on his own from a pass by Marian Hossa just as time expired on the PP.

The Hawks, Corey Crawford, allowed 3 goals on 34 shots, much of which were high quality chances.

The next game on this extremely difficult road trip is the league leading Anaheim Ducks  followed by the Phoenix Coyotes. Then the Hawks will rest,…well, except the 10 Olympians. They will head to Sochi for their respective countries. (Any wagering on if Brent Seabrook becomes a last minute replacement?….Most likely not,…but he certainly deserves it).

Final score: L.A. 3 - Chi 5

Sunday, February 2, 2014

As Bickell Brews

As Bryan Bickell is back to his old pre-2013 playoff habits, he is once again, a healthy scratch for the 3rd game.

What do the Hawks do with him? Do they bench him to get him good and hungry? Do, they play him again and send Pirri back down? Do they try trading him? What needs to be done?

As the Hawks attempt to figure this out, they are in the middle of  the Murderers Row Road Tip. There are only 3 games left before the Olympics and only 4 left for the entire month (as they finish against NY Rangers on the 27th of February). I say, …let him brew for the entire month. Let him rethink his game and maybe we'll see a bit more fire out of him come March.

Remember when Bickell started out on the first line this year? Then he played the 3rd line because of his lack of production. As Joel Quenneville stated,  "We need more"….enough said. More energy, more checking, more getting in front of the net, more offense. He's playing on 40% right now. NOT good enough for the immense pay raise he got. NOT nearly good enough. Hope this doesn't turn into the biggest mistake that Stan Bowman has done during his regime. Bickell, himself knows his play hasn't been any good, now he needs to step it up. Brew baby brew!!!! Then come back with a vengeance in March!

Crawford Loses ANOTHER Shootout 2-1

First let's start off by saying Corey had a wonderful game. (He was the #2 star of the game). Stopping 38-39 shots. However, when it comes to shootouts…OMG does he suck this year. Is it a mental block or something?  He has lost 10 games in either a shootout or in OT. WOW!!!!! Let me repeat that…WOW!!!

Other notes:  Johnny Oduya actually played well tonight. Surprising.
Bryan Bickell sat out his 3rd straight game. Good…let him figure his game out on the bench. He needs to get really really hungry. I'd let him sit throughout all the games in February (not many due to the Olympics, but it should make him hungrier).

Hawks continue to drop points to Anaheim (today +1 due to regulation loss to Dallas), St. Louis, Colorado, and S.J.  Hawks percentage points are falling to 5th.

Hawks next game is against the L.A. Kings  Monday followed by Anaheim on Wednesday and finally Phoenix on Friday before a  20 day nap.

So far on this road trip the Hawks are 1-0-2.



Saturday, February 1, 2014

Should The Hawks Be Interested In Ryan Callahan?

Captain of America's largest franchise, RW Ryan Callahan is being shopped around the league for a trade. Guess the Rangers fear the most. Ryan Callahan wants to shop the market or he wants out of NY. The Hawks would be wise to go for this tallented RW if he can handle a $5m a year contract. With the cap space going up, the Hawks could trade LW Bryan Bickell and his $4m/per year contract and receive Callahan. Problem is Callahan is more than a rental and with that risk the Hawks should ask for more. Bickell would still have 3 years left.
How about: Callahan, 2014 2nd round, 2015 2nd Round, >>>> Hawks
                   Bickell, Jeremy Morin, + any of these: Oduya, 3rd Round 2014 & 2015>>>>> Rangers

That would give the Hawks a solid 3rd line. Callahan, Shaw and put Versteeg LW.

Although the likelihood of this trade happening is slim,.....it is an idea. They are shopping. Throw something out at them. The Hawks would have the hands up here for the Rangers HAVE to unload Callahan or they would get nothing back in return. At this moment, it appears that St. Louis and Columbus are the ones shopping. If the Hawks get wind of the fact that St. Louis is in the hunt, this could be when the Hawks jump.

In other words,...Hawks don't need the deal, so they don't have to mortgage the farm. Offer should consist of something favorable: MORIN, something of value: DRAFT PICKS,...and something in the Hawks favor: Unloading Oduya.