SB Nation - Cam Barker

This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic - Hawks 5, Bruins 4 (SO - Hawks win shirtless slap fight)

McClure — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:09:48 -0000

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

Hey! Is that a ninja up there?

The biggest United Center crowd of the year got to see the Hawks' most entertaining game of the year, outside of the obvious asterisk that the Calgary comeback ever shall be.

The Hawks' lineup looked quite a bit different on Friday, with Antti Niemi starting in net, Niklas Hjalmarsson sitting out because of feeling under the weather (rumor has it he hurt his knee in the Peterborough game), and Ben Eager sitting out presumably because he's a steakhead. Personally, I would have sat Tomas Kopecky again in favor of Eager, but I'm not the guy with the mustache...YET. Both teams traded chances in the opening minutes of the first, with the Hawks once again moving the puck very well, but only seemed to be able to manufacture shots from the perimeter against Tim Thomas, who appeared to be on in the early going with his Hasek-esque style. In their own zone, however, the Hawks were an adventure. Joel Quenneville very quickly into the game rearranged his defensemen, pairing Jordan Hendry with Brian Campbell in order to keep two pairs consistent in Hammer's absence- a result which paid dividends. It did not prevent David Krejci from opening the scoring, however, as Niemi failed to smother a dump in with his catch glove (which was suspect all evening), and the puck came to Krejci out front to poke home.

Early in the second, Kris Versteeg potted the Hawks' equalizer off of a careless pass from Andrew Ference which VERSTEEG! alertly snapped past Thomas. The ice then began to tilt in the Hawks favor, as Patrick Sharp gave the Hawks the lead banging home a rebound crashing the left post. After having some issues with the referee in the corner at the other end of the ice Brent Sopel (at his Sopel-est tonight), coughed up a turnover that led to Daniel Paille tying the game at two. However, in the waning moments of the second, Troy Brouwer threw a goal line pass from the corner to Jonathan Toews, who harpooned the puck between Thomas' legs to give the Hawks the lead after 40. All three Hawks' goal scorers in the period potted their tenth goals of the year.

The Hawks' assault on Thomas continued into the third, but Boston once again drew even, as Johnny Boychuk slapped a cross ice feed undereath Niemi's right arm. Less than two minutes later, Andrew Ladd received credit for redirecting a Brian Campbell point blast into the net after some fine perimeter puck movement by Campbell, Hendry, and Sharp. It would not be a lead the Hawks would hold onto. With less than three minutes remaining, the Bruins found themselves on a 3-on-2, with both Sharp and Marian Hossa late to return on their backchecks, which let Krejci pot his second of the night to tie the game up. After relatively uneventful OT, the contest needed to be decided with a couple rounds of rochambeau, with Q deciding to let the B's shoot first. Patrice Bergeron ran out of room on Niemi, and Toews made him pay with the now trademark snapper at the other end. Blake Wheeler got Niemi down and out but drew iron, which made Patrick Kane's backhader at the other end hold up as the winner. Hawks win.

Observations

Outside of Sharp and Hossa's lackadaisical backcheck, Niemi's glove, and Sopel being Sopel, I found very little to complain about from anyone else. No passengers for this game whatsoever. Even Tomas Kopecky's general invisibility was not for lack of effort.
I was very impressed with Jordan Hendry's ability to step in and play with Brian Campbell, one of the more difficult defenseman in the league to partner with, arguably the most. Credit to Quenneville as well for realizing very quickly that Cam Barker simply does not have the foot speed to recover in time to be paired with Soup at even strength, and making the change. As Sam said, why screw up two pairs with Hammer out?
The Hawks dominated in shots in the second and third, and give credit to the Bruins for capitalizing on the opportunities they got. This game could have been a case of water finding its own level with Antti Niemi, who did make some very good saves when they counted, but a couple of the B's goals - Krejci's first and Boychuck's - could and should have been stopped.
Apologies for the obtuse headline. I know it's a reach, but please bear with me. See what I did there?
I know the Hawks have two games in hand, but how the fuck are they only two points ahead of goddamn Nashville? That Barry Trotz really is something.
Credit the Hawks for not shying away from the monster that is Zdeno Chara. I witnessed Kane, Toews and VERSTEEG! initiate contact with that pituitary case, with Toews retaliating a bit on Versteeg's behalf at one point near the benches, and at one point Troy Brouwer and Chara came to within a hair on my sack from scrapping. It would have been a fight that Our Boy Troy would have been destroyed in, but the courage is admirable.
All eight goals came at even strength. For the top two PK units in the league, I know that's a shock.
Thanks to you, the reader, who now seems to understand that if there's a game on a weekend evening, it's pretty well implied that the wrap isn't coming until the following morning due to this blog's propensity for getting itself banged up before, during, and after games. The fact that the weekday games are now a coin-flip as well could be cause for concern, however. Knowing us, though, we'd make the inevitable intervention an open invite event at the Whirlaway.

Player of the Game

While this award could have gone a number of ways, I'll give it to everyone's, including seemingly Q's, favorite $7 million dollar whipping boy. Even with his Swedish security blanket out of the lineup, Brian Campbell managed to be a +1 with an assist during nearly 28:00 minutes of ice time in a back and forth game. Campbell created opportunities in the offensive zone, had an assist on a redirected slap shot, and was solid in his own end.

Coming To Chicago This Summer: Cap Reality

The Falconer — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:48:43 -0000

More photos » by Larry Macdougal - AP

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For those of you who don't pay much attention to the Western Conference the big news this week was that the Chicago Blackhawks managed to get three of their young stars resigned this week. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane both signed for 6.3 million per year and Duncan Keith for 5.5 per year. Blackhawk fans were falling all over themselves in self congratulation with the news.

However, the team is going to have to perform "roster reduction surgery" to clear away the foolishness that former GM Tallon committed in the Summer of 2008. This coming summer the Blackhawks are going to have to move a lot of salary just to field a roster of 21 players for the 2010-2011 season. Below is 21 man roster chart of players currently under contract with Chicago and their cap salaries (or Qualifying Offers for RFAs this summer).

A couple of technical notes. RFAs who make under 1 million must be offered a 10% raise in their qualifying offers (which they don't have to sign). Young players on Entry Level Contracts (ELC) will have all bonus money count against the cap next year because it is the final year of the CBA. I have used a 21 man roster instead of the NHL minimum 20 man roster because it is virtually impossible to go with just 20 players. If a guy is out a few days, he doesn't quality for Long Term Injury Replacement, but someone has to to dress--so I budgeted for 21 roster spots. The minimum NHL salary is half a million dollars currently.

OK and now for the really ugly part. If we assume that all of the current Blackhawks RFAs were to simply accept their qualifying offers and no trades were made, then I have Chicago sitting at $66 million in cap hits with a salary cap expected to remain largely unchanged (currently $56.7 million). The team is projected to be over by $8-10 million depending on where the cap is set next season.

SALARY	FORWARDS
6.300	Toews
6.300	Kane
5.275	Hossa
3.900	Sharp
3.375	Bolland
3.083	Versteeg
3.000	Byfuglien
1.550	Ladd	RFA Qualifying Offer
1.200	Kopecky	ELC
1.070	Eager	RFA Qualifying Offer
1.025	Brouwer
0.770	Fraser	RFA Qualifying Offer
	DEFENSE
7.142	Campbell
5.500	Keith
3.500	Seakbook
3.083	Barker
2.333	Sopel
0.700	Hjalmarsson	RFA Qualifying Offer
	GOAL
5.625	Huet
0.800	Crawford
0.500	Bench Player
66.031	2010 TOTAL
56.700	Current Cap Max
9.331	Difference

Ch-ch-changes

The good news for Blackhawk fans is that their young core players were signed last week. The bad news is that several current members of a Cup-contending squad will have to be traded this summer. Let's play amateur GM and see how this works out.

The non-Campbell, non-Huet Scenario

Let's assume that both the Campbell and Huet contracts are too costly to move. In this situation the Hawks need to deal away 4 guys making some serious coin. If they moved Cam Barker ($3.08 million), Dave Bolland ($3.375) and Dustin Byfuglien ($3.0) and replaced them with three players averaging just $0.700 a piece that still leaves the team $2 million over the current cap. Assuming the cap doesn't rise, they would need to a) move either Versteeg or Sharp; or b) exchange their entire checking group (Kopecky, Eager, Brouwer and Fraser) for 4 guys making the NHL minimum. This scenario involves the most carnage for the existing lineup of skaters, as it would essentially gut the team's depth.

The Campbell Traded Scenario

The two most egregious contracts are those given to Brian Campbell (7.142 million) and Christobal Huet (5.625 million). To move either of this contracts Chicago would probably have to include either a 1st round pick or a top prospect to make another team swallow either of them. Let's suppose that Chicago was able to swing Campbell + 1st round pick to Dallas for a pick or prospect. If Cam Barker moves into the top 4 D for Chicago, and a journeyman making .6 million fills Campbell's roster spot, that still leaves them $2.8 over the cap. To clear that much more salary they would have to swap a player making $3.3 million for a guy making the league minimum or basically Dave Bolland or Patrick Sharp.

The Huet Traded Scenario

Most teams only have one starting goalie--there are only so many starting jobs around the NHL. Few teams can afford afford to lavish All-Star money on a non-All Star talent, which means that the Cristobal Huet contract is probably tougher to move than the Campbell contract. But let's suppose for a moment that Chicago can find a taker. Who would take Huet's place? That's a key question and one that is hard to predict. Almost any starter of any quality is going to have a cap hit of $3 million or more. The team might find a cheaper option such as Theodore, Biron or Emery on the UFA market, but those cheaper options come with a serious downside risk. Let's assume that the Blackhawks go very cheap at the goal position and only spend $2.5 on Huet's replacement. That still leaves them $6 million over the cap. Trading away Barker ($3.08), Sopel ($2.3) and one medium priced forward (perhaps Bolland $3.0) and replacing them with players making just $700,000 gets them under the cap with some money for a Hjalmarsson raise.

The Dream Scenario: Campbell and Huet Traded

The least disruptive solution to the Blackhawks depth would be to move both fat contracts next summer. The biggest question is whether they can find any suckers (call Bob Gainey?) or whether they are willing to part with high draft picks or top prospect Kyle Beach to purchase cap space. Assuming that they can make these two ugly contracts vanish and replace the D slot with a cheap defenseman, that would leave about $2-3 million for a starting goalie. This is easily the least disruptive scenario for the current roster--but presumably would come at the cost of future talent (picks and prospects).

Concluding Thoughts

Trying to game plan the future is always challenging. At this point, we have no idea what the final cap number will be (but attendance is flat and tickets are being discounted in many cities). We also have no way of knowing if RFAs like Ladd and Hjalmarsson will demand more money than their qualifying offers. Despite these "known unknowns" I've tried to get a sense of how things might play out this summer in the Windy City.

Game 27 Preview: Jackets head to the Windy City to face the Hawks

Mike MacLean — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:03:19 -0000

by Jay LaPrete - AP

View full size photo »

After snapping a five game losing streak, the Jackets are in Chicago to take on the 'Hawks. On paper, this doesn't look good for the Jackets. It's the second game of a back-to-back, Rusty is out of the lineup with a groin tear (Mathieu Roy will play tonight, he's up from Syracuse on emergency recall), and tonight is the home debut of Hossa.

That said, the boys should still have some momentum from last night. It was a gutsy performance, and maybe the victory against the Blues was the tonic needed to get the Jackets back on track. Chicago is a great team from top to bottom. Their one question mark heading into the season-goaltending-seems to no longer be an issue with the strong play of Huet.

In my opinion, and likely many other share this opinion, the Hawks have the best defense in the NHL. It will be tough to score tonight, but the Jackets do have the weapons needed. Umby is playing his best hockey of the season, and Brass is looking better and better each game. If Voracek can build off of the strong game he had last night, look for that line to produce tonight. That would allow Nash and Juice to do their thing offensively-Huselius has been putting up serious points lately as well.

This is an imprtant game for the checking unit. I haven't seen much from Chimmer all season, and he needs to bring a physical element tonight. Mike Blunden hits everything that moves, and he'll need to continue doing that tonight against the 'Hawks potent forwards. Sammy was a Blackhawk for a brief period last season, and I look for him to have a strong game matching up against either Toews or Versteeg.

Fearless Prediction: Goal from a CBJ defenseman.

Game Time: 8:00pm ET

Opponent's Blog: Second City Hockey

Game Page: Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks Coverage

TSN Preview: Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks Preview

TV: FSN Ohio

Radio: WBNS-AM (1460); WWCD-FM (101.1)

More after the jump...

From the Columbus Dispatch:

The Blue Jackets snapped a five-game losing streak last night with a 5-2 win over the Blues. It should be a loud crowd tonight in United Center. The Blackhawks are back off a six-game trip, Marian Hossa makes his Chicago debut and coach Joel Quenneville goes for his 500th victory.

Jackets Links:

Columbus Blue Jackets / Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule

Columbus Blue Jackets Roster / Columbus Blue Jackets Stats

Here are the lineups for tonight's tilt:

Columbus Blue Jackets

Kristian Huselius	Antoine Vermette	Rick Nash
R.J. Umberger	Derick Brassard	Jakub Voracek
Jason Chimera	Samuel Pahlsson	Michael Blunden
Raffi Torres	Derek MacKenzie	Jared Boll

Fedor Tyutin	Anton Stralman
Mike Commodore	Jan Hejda
Kris Russell	Mathieu Roy

Steve Mason

Mathieu Garon

EXTRA: Alexandre Picard

INJURED: Fredrik Modin, Andrew Murray, Derek Dorsett, Rostislav Klesla, Marc Methot

Chicago Blackhawks

Patrik Sharp	Jonathan Toews	Marian Hossa
Dustin Byfuglien	Kris Versteeg	Patrick Kane
Andrew Ladd	John Madden	Troy Brouwer
Ben Eager	Colin Fraser	Tomas Kopecky

Duncan Keith	Brent Seabrook
Brian Campbell	Cam Barker
Niklas Hjalmarsson	Brent Sopel

Cristobal Huet

Antti Niemi

Sunday links -- Matt Cooke to be suspended? Gonchar and Pens at odds? Bill Guerin's effort too low?

Hooks Orpik — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:50:44 -0000

Check out 2:35 of the youtube. "It's f-in hat night", the new "it's the f-in Catalina wine mixer"? [Three Rivers Blog]

TSN insider Bob McKenzie says that the league may review Matt Cooke's hit on Artem Anisimov last night for possible suspension or fine. [Twitter account]

Empty Netters takes a hard line on Cooke and says he deserves suspended. Given that the hit was away from the play, targeted the head and the offender's last name is Cooke, I have to agree that discipline could and probably should be on the way. [Empty Netters]

The Confluence takes a look at the fine line Cooke walks, and occasionally crosses. [Kuklas Korner]

Stats and details on the Penguins success in the first 25 game segment of the season. [Tribune Review]

The same clown from Ottawa who said the Penguins were preparing to trade Evgeni Malkin (two weeks before they re-signed him) says that the Penguins and Sergei Gonchar aren't agreeing on extension figures. [Ottawa Sun]

I'm guessing the odds you see an article on Puck Prospectus this week about Sidney Crosby hurting the Penguins is pretty low. [Puck Prospectus]

Faceoff Factor calls out Bill Guerin's effort. I don't see it, Guerin's got six points (3g, 3a) in the last eight games, including that last second buzzer beater. 39 year old players don't play like they're 19 or 29, gotta save a little in the tank for the long haul. [Faceoff Factor]

Craig Rivet and Max Talbot frienemy Dan Carcillo had quite the series of fights. [Puck Daddy]

Crosby v. Ovechkin was the fourth biggest hockey story of the decade. JP asked on his site if it'd be higher or lower next decade. I'm going to push and say it'll be about the 4th biggest story next decade too. The three bigger stories? NHL player involvement in the 2014 Olympics, the next CBA negotiations and the Penguins dynastic 11 straight Stanley Cups. [Puck Daddy]

Former Penguins prospect Angelo Esposito tore the same ACL again. Hard not to feel bad for someone who's career has seemingly peaked at age 15 or 16. [Bird Watchers Anonymous]

As a little aside, who would have guessed that Pascal Dupuis would have the more goals so far this season than everyone involved in that trade....Combined. The scoreboard (with NHL goals in parenthesis) is Pascal Dupuis (7) to everyone else (5). Marian Hossa (2) Colby Armstrong (3), Erik Christensen (0), Esposito (0) and a first round pick that was Daultan Leveille (0). Now that Hossa is back, figured I had to use that stat now.

Chicago's cap crunch might make defenseman Cam Barker the odd man out. Hear that, Mr. Shero? [Faceoff.com]

His Name Isn't Jonas

Arthur from Anaheim Calling — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:56:47 -0000

DANIEL:

This is Anaheim Calling to the hockey world.

The Ducks surprised just about everyone who seriously follows hockey by blanking the Blackhawks 3-0 on Friday. Chicago came into Anaheim with the league's second best penalty killing unit, but left the building 2 for 5 shorthanded.

J.S. Giguere was key in shutting down the Blackhawks soaring offense. Jiggy's statline for the past 3 games reads as follows: 3 wins, 1.30 GAA, .960 SV%. The Anaheim netminder is starting to look like his old self again, and he isn't giving any indication that Hiller will be logging crease time in the near future. Arthur, there's no denying that Hiller is a great young goaltender; will it be devastating for the organization if he loses the goalie battle and gets shipped off this season?

ARTHUR:

It would be devastating, but I think the devastation began when Francois Allaire left Anaheim. If Allaire was still around, I would say that Hiller could return to dominance or that we could still find another Hiller. But without le guru des gardiens, we were always running the risk of a Peeters and Pogge regime i.e. the end of goaltending as we know it.

And yet, I just don't think Murray can make the call to ship off Hiller, even if Giguere legitimately beats him out for this job. They've reached a point of no return where the best thing that Giguere can do is increase his own trade value, which is exactly what his recent performance does.

Jiggy is also reminding us that his colleague in the crease is an unfinished work in Francois Allaire's portfolio, that the Swiss netminder has yet to snatch the pebble from Allaire's hand. Hiller hasn't learned to trust his positioning on nights when he doesn't have his best stuff, and that is the lesson that carries a goaltender, particularly an Allaire pupil, through the NHL regular season. Don't get me wrong, Hiller's raw skills, his rockstar reflexes and highlight-reel athleticism, are enough to win a playoff series, but in a six month season, he has to find a way to win when those skills are not available to him. Otherwise, teams will catch him guessing, moving and generally struggling to find the plate.

And I know Ducks fans will blame the defense for either goalie's performance this year, but I think that, too, is a lesson for Hiller. He needs to be able to win games without a Norris ballot playing in front of him; Giguere certainly did when he earned this job.

DANIEL:

I don't think losing Hiller would be as bad as my knee-jerk reaction is telling me. In fact, losing Hiller might help Anaheim this year as well as in the future. Hiller is scary good with those reflexes, but you've already said he's an incomplete product of Allaire. Meshing styles is dangerous when you haven't fully mastered at least one. Peeters' might not be able to help HIller without clashing with the foundation that Allaire has laid. If that's the case, it would be wise to stick with the veteran Giguere, who has a strong identity as a net minder, and let Hiller re-create himself on someone else's time and dollar.

Our goalie cupboard isn't overflowing with prospects, but Pogge has experience and Pielmeier had outstanding moments during camp. Maybe Peeters can still bring along one of those prospects. We'd have to keep Giguere past his current contract, but I think he would have the wherewithal to know he's aging and doesn't have the same $6 million value. Goalies are playing a little longer these days, and Giguere might still be a long way from "done." Will losing Hiller be a problem next year? Yes, because no matter what he gets paid it will be less than Giguere, and we'd lose an extraordinarily capable back up.

However, if Hiller becomes available, I don't think there's a better goalie out there on the trading block. Hiller is nothing but upside. Plus, his contract situation is ideal for teams who aren't sure about their goaltending situation this year. So, is there a cap-strapped team, looking to make a splash by announcing three huge new contract extensions, but thinks their Cup dreams could still be sideswiped by their lack of quality goaltending...?

Dear Chicago,

Send us Dustin Byfuglien, Cam Barker and your First Rounder for Jonas Hiller and James Wisniewski. Keep in mind, Blackhawks fans, this rids you of Dustin Byfuglien and frees up money for Toews, Kane and Keith.

That deal would give us three first round picks in the next draft. Yes, we would be taking on 6M in salary for next year without dropping any, but the fact is we have to trade a goalie, either this year, or this summer, and Hiller has more trade value than Giguere.

The Hawks Drink The Oilers Milkshake, They Drink It Up: Blackhawks 5 - Oilers 2

Matthew Dirt — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:10:52 -0000

Another dominating, entertaining and impressive effort from the Blackhawks. The team opened up the scoring early on as Toews pestered Ladislov Smid (which is just a great fucking name) behind the Oilers net, Patrick Kane came in to tap the puck away and Toews picked up firing two shots, the second goes bar and in. It was a perfect corner shot and it looks like Toews was fond of that area. Jeff Drouin-Delorean never stood a chance.

The Oilers didn't wait long to even it up as Sheldon Souray was credited with a goal that Cam Barker helped in. The Oil must have felt guilty though. Brent Sopel fed a pass to Kris Versteeg who the Oilers convientely left all alone in front of the net. When Kris wasn't able to bury the shot, Souray punched it in while trying to clear the puck away. Thanks guys but that kind of sportsmanship isn't really necessary.

From that point on it was almost all Blackhawks who seemed to do whatever the fuck they pleased with the puck. The passing in the Oilers zone was simply a clinic on puck possession. I remember one game last year where the Hawks were able to completely change lines while holding the puck in the other teams zone... this was close to that level of dominance.

Outscoring the opponents 12-3 so far on the circus trip is a damn good sign but the Hawks will have to keep it up as they face the Canucks tonight.

Quick Thoughts:

Patrick Kane's goal was almost as pretty as the Hawks puck possession. Once you saw him get the slightest bit in front of Liam Reddox and lower his shoulder you knew it was going to take an act of god to keep the puck from the back of the net.
Madden scoring is always a welcome sight.
Toews' second goal might have hit the exact same spot on the post before going in. Worth mentioning too that the Hawks now have two games in a row with a forward getting multiple goals.
Another power play goal too - that's also two games in a row with those. Don't look now but they've moved into the top 10 in the league with the man advantage. Going 5 for 7 in the last two games still relatively early in the season will do that.
Lets hope Bryan Bickell isn't hurt too bad. He's actually been playing well the past few games but he looked scrambled after hitting his head on the ice following a hit on Dustin Penner.

Player of the Game:

No poll on this one - Two goals and an assist makes it easy:

Murph's Law

Arthur from Anaheim Calling — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:39:54 -0000

More photos » by Damian Dovarganes - AP

I make all my decisions on logic. Note my Vulcan ears as proof of that. Editor's Note: seriously, look at those ears! He looks like the illegitimate son of Legolas and Gollum. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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Gameday thread is below this post

ARTHUR:

Anaheim calling to the hockey world...

Since Brian Burke's departure, the hockey media has generally marveled at Bob Murray's management of the Ducks' assets. Like Burke, many of these opportunities came to him: Anaheim was a natural consideration for Koivu after being shut out of Montreal, and who doesn't want Chris Pronger? But Murray showed he could make some major deals at last year's trade deadline, calling in some old Blackhawk favors, unloading pending free agents and picking up quality prospects and RFA's. Still, for whatever reason, Murray has built a team much less stable than that of his predecessor. And just as the media wondered if Carlyle would be fired because Murray didn't hire him, because Carlyle wasn't Murph's choice, should they now wonder if Henry Samueli will fire Bob Murray for not being the recently reinstated owner's choice?

Daniel, I've recently made the joke that it's time for Samueli to fire Murray and give him some backdated stock and an autographed 8x10 glossy of Wendel Clark as a severance package. But assuming that longtime Duck figure (and one of last year's most popular GM job interviewees) David McNab would take his place, should Samueli fire Bob Murray before the general manager moves more of the Ducks assets this season?

DANIEL:

I think we should consider getting rid of Murray. As you just said, Koivu was pretty much going to come here no matter what. All Murray did was recycle Burke's first Chris Pronger deal. And the additions of Wisniewski and Whitney, in my opinion, pale greatly to the potential of Nick Bonino. Looking at today's roster, Murray's work has led to the acquisition of Nokelainen, Wiz, Whitney, and Christensen, as well as potential assets Bonino and Pielmeier, while losing Tangradi, O'Dell, the entire 2007 stopper line, and Beauchemin. Why we can pay Wisniewski's crazy string of penalty killing mistakes 2.75 million and not pay Beauchemin 3.8 is beyond my powers of comprehension. My main problem when looking at Murray's body of work is he was so hell-bent on getting something that he seemed to take anything. Look at the trade with Chicago. Pahlsson was still a terrific defensive asset. A little more effort and maybe we get a sturdier Cam Barker or Brent Seabrook.

When you look at the defensive situation this year you see a little bit of the same problem. Murray took a shotgun approach, and decided that if he brought enough D-men to camp, then Carlyle would just pick the right one. Eminger has been a pleasant surprise and Boynton is working out...I guess, but would it have killed him to get some size on the blue line? I would have liked a proven stay at home stopper. Yes, the man was aggressive and did seize a few good players. The problem is, I'm not sure they are the right players. Murray has put Carlyle into a bad situation by just acquiring players instead of acquiring key players who fit the system. As a result, Carlyle has been scrambling to make this golem of a team function.

I shudder to think what Tampa Bay will get with our 3rd Round pick after we let Artyukhin walk for taking a record 8 million penalties in the offensive zone. If I felt like there was some plan to what Murray was doing, then I'd be willing to give him a little more time to work it out, but right now, I say bring on McNab and let's see if we can get the team going in the right direction.

ARTHUR:

I realize that while Murray wasn't Samueli's choice, McNab was no one's choice. He's just a part of the Pond at this point, grown into it like Bootstrap Bill Turner into the Flying Dutchman. But I really think he's earned this job. He's respected in the league for what he's done and for what his father did, and he's respected amongst the players for having been a part of the Ducks organization since the supplemental draft. He deserves this shot, and not just because so many organizations seemed willing to give him one last year.

Now if we go to McNab, then we'll probably have to say goodbye to my dreams of acquiring Duncan Keith, not to mention the advantages of having a GM with at least SOME ties to an NHL organization that is not Anaheim, but we'd be making some effort to turn this ship around. I've said before that despite Murray's years as a pro scout, we've pretty much gotten Beauchemin, Bertuzzi and Morrison from his experience. One out of three IS bad. The players McNab has given us are too numerous to mention (but let's say Rucchin, Trnka, Tverdosky, Lecerlc, Salei, Cullen, McDonald, Kunitz, Penner, and Carter for starters). One could argue that this team has always been McNab's team, helplessly imbued with his vision for the hockey club, and now that we're getting a taste of Murray's vision, I think we need to give the ship back to its rightful captain.

Can McNab sign Bobby Ryan on the cheap? Can he make a deadline deal? I would think that after 16 years holding the proverbial clipboard, he can run a play or two. One thing is certain: there is a lot of rebuilding on the horizon. With so much of this team's future riding on how we manage this year's assets and acquisitions, I don't see how Samueli can leave this team in the hands of a man who has managed to miscalculate us into last place in the West in just one year.

New Jersey Devils Morning News, Nov 13

TibbsBeastoftheEast — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:58:55 -0000

Devils notes: Rolston returns - (The Bergen Record)
Devs top standings with perfect road record - (The Bergen Record)

Lemaire believes Devils can play better - (Fire & Ice)
Devils in first in Atlantic and Eastern Conference, eye road record - (Fire & Ice)
Lemaire unhappy with Bergfors’ play despite three-point night - (Fire & Ice)
Live post: Parise’s goal ups Devils lead to 3-1 in third period - (Fire & Ice)
Lamoriello "totally against" NHL players continuing to participate in Olympics - (Fire & Ice)
Devils to battle Penguins for first place; Elias will play; Peters, Leblond out - (Fire & Ice)
Sestito savoring his time in the NHL - (Fire & Ice)
Lamoriello enjoyed his Hall of Fame weekend - (Fire & Ice)
Rolston will play tonight; Brodeur will start; Rupp "bothered" by Pandolfo injury - (Fire & Ice)
Rolston on the ice for Devils’ optional morning skate; Looks like Brodeur will start - (Fire & Ice)
Pandolfo, McAmmond, Niedermayer skate in New Jersey; Rolston to skate in Pittsburgh - (Fire & Ice)
Travis Zajac and Zach Parise shut down Sidney Crosby for NJ Devils - (The Star Ledger)
Martin Brodeur felt only Penguins goal against NJ Devils shouldn't have counted - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils move into first place in Atlantic Division with 4-1 win over Pittsburgh Penguins - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils-Pittsburgh Penguins: As they played - (The Star Ledger)
David Clarkson wouldn't hesitate to repay Mike Rupp for hit on NJ Devils winger Jay Pandolfo - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils GM Lou Lamoriello against NHL participation in future Olympics - (The Star Ledger)
Good news for NJ Devils: Jay Pandolfo, Rob Niedermayer, Dean McAmmond skate - (The Star Ledger)
' Canstruction' event at Prudential Center in Newark - (The Star Ledger)
Devils claim 9th straght road victory - (The New York Daily News)
N.H.L. Scoreboard: Devils Win Again and Go Atop East - (The New York Times)
Watch Postgame Reaction - (Msgnetwork)
Devs-Pens Game Chat Archive - (Msgnetwork)
Devils 4, Penguins 1 - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Patrik Elias Post Game - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Martin Brodeur Post Game - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Zach Parise Post Game - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Devils host second annual NJSIAA clinic - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
The decade's 10 best goaltenders - (FOXSports.com)
Penguins Defense Adjusts to Losses - (NHL.com)
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' players stats - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils Team Report - (Yahoo NHL)
Puck Previews: Can Devils stay road perfect?… - (Yahoo NHL)
Penguins lose 4th game in a row - (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Pens snap drought, still skidding - (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Devils keep churning out the wins - (ESPN.com)
Lemaire the right fit -- again - (ESPN.com)
Devils roll again, Penguins up next - (The New York Post)
Devils GM against break for Olympics - (The New York Post)
New Jersey Devils' Defense Moves Them to the Top - (Bleacher Report)
Devils maul Pens 4-1; Still perfect on the road - (hockeybuzz.com)
Excuse us Champs, Devils take over 1st in the Atlantic and East - (hockeybuzz.com)

LOWELL DEVILS
Devils overpower Worcester Sharks at DCU Center - (Sentinel & Enterprise)

MISCELLANEOUS
IceDogs show some Spirit - (St. Catharines Standard); Matt Corrente
Cape League Hall welcomes 10 more - (Cape Cod Times); Lou Lamoriello
Cam Barker talks about superstitions in the Blackhawks locker room - (ESPN); Madden's superstitions
Henrique signs pact with Devils - (Windsor Star); Not sure if that news is that fresh!

Well, That Was Relatively Quick - Hawks 3, Lanche 2 (Shootout)

McClure — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:54:10 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

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At least it wasn't eight or nine rounds deep this time.

Being at the schedule makers' mercy, in an Olympic year, the Hawks met the Avalanche for the third meeting of four total in this young season, and the pace in the first period was quite brisk. The teams traded chances in the early going of the first, and Colin Fraser and Matt Hendricks renewed acquaintances with a tussle, and Colorado opened the scoring on a goal Huet would like to have back. Kyle Cumiskey picked up a rebound off the glass behind the left of Huet, and threw it at the net before Cris was back in position. It was a bad goal, but, again, we've seen worse. Aside from that Huet was rather sharp in the first, aggressively taking away angles and the bottom of the net. His counterpart Craig Anderson was peppered as well, with Patrick Kane finally solving him with a top shelf short side snap shot to tie things up. The Hawks allowed an uncharacteristic 12 shots during the first, while putting 12 shots on goal themselves.

The second was all Colorado, as the Hawks again seemed to have trouble entering the offensive zone and sustaining pressure. Wojtek Wolski scored on a broken play, again to the left of Huet after a giveaway by Andrew Ladd in the neutral zone led to a chance that had the puck pop up in the air, where Cris lost it, and then then again could not get back in position in time to stop Wolski's bid.

Conversely, the third period was all Hawks, with shots throwing rubber at Anderson at every opportunity, and finally getting their forecheck in gear. Cam Barker tied things up on a nice individual effort rushing the puck up ice from his own zone, capped off by beating Anderson again high and to the short side. From there, the Avalanche seemed content to try to escape with the point, but the Hawks kept their foot on the gas, outshooting Colorado 15-3 in the third. It should be noted, however, that two Avalanche shots drew iron during the third, but that won't show up on the scoresheet. Regulation ended tied (AGAIN), and the teams went to overtime (AGAIN).

The attack didn't cease there, as the Hawks put four shots on Anderson in the extra frame, and even had a competent, abbreviated 4-on-3 power-play to end regulation. But it was not to be. So let it be written, so let it be done- these two teams are seemingly forever destined to settle their difference in the skills competition.

Huet was down and out to lead-off man Wolski, but again, he hit the post with his Forsberg-esque half-spin backhand. Toews answered with his now trademark rifling of a shot through the goalie's five-hole. Marek Svatos converted a pretty backhand high and to Huet's stick side to knot the shoot out at 1-1. The last attempt fell to Patrick Sharp, who has had his difficulties in these situations, but made no mistake in dipping his shoulder left, then cutting back right to go high over Anderson's glove for the winner. Hawks 3, Avs 2.

Again, the defense pulls the boa constrictor act in the third and overtime, only allowing 3 shots (posts not withstanding) in the final 25 minutes. Even more impressive was that the Hawks managed 19 shots of their own in that time. We've said it before, we'll say it again - you can't shoot the puck if the other team has it the whole time.
Andrew Ebbett seems to be getting more comfortable and more noticeable, which is likely a function of not being asked to check and provide physicality, neither of which are his specialty.
In spite of the two goofy goals, and getting help from the iron, Huet was again solid tonight, making several key saves.
Nice to see Sharp convert on the winner after being seemingly snakebitten the last few games. Hopefully this, along with the approaching return of Marian Hossa will spark one of his now signature scoring binges to compliment his droughts.

Player of the Game

Tonight's honor goes to Patrick Sharp, who was a factor on all 200 feet of the ice tonight backchecking and contributing offensively assisting on Kane's goal and scoring the shootout clincher.

Bonjourrrrrrrr, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys! - Hawks 3, Habs 2

McClure — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:39:08 -0000

More photos » by David Banks - AP

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This is going to be brief, because honestly, I have drinking to do. Tomorrow, at least another one of the three of us will attempt something approximating a cogent thought regarding the game.

Tonight's tilt started out at a quick pace, with the ice tilted in the Hawks favor. Just about four minutes in, Andrew Ladd absolutely eviscerated Matt D'Agostini with a borderline hit at the Montreal blueline. Having the benefit of watching the replay at home, one could see that while Ladd was definitely springing upward at the moment of impact and his elbow tucked in, his leaving his feet on the follow through with his arms flailing caused the officiating crew to give Ladd a game misconduct and an elbowing major. The penalty was slightly mitigated by a rough and instigator committed by Kyle Chipchura in defense of his fallen teammate, leaving the Hawks shorthanded for 3 minutes, which the Hawks killed. Later in the period, VERSTEEG! scored from behind the net banking a puck off of Marc-Andre Bergeron.

The pressure continued in the second, and Cam Barker sneaked in from the point on a power play to bury a feed from Versteeg, giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead. It was the only moment of competence all night for the Hawks' man advantage. In the waning minutes of the period, Montreal tied the contest with a goal from Michael Cammalleri at the side of the net on a deflected puck, and Travis Moen slipping one by Cristobal Huet from behind the net. With a pube under three seconds remaining in the period. It was a soft goal from Huet, who no doubt should have had his post covered more snugly, but Cirs was by and large very solid throughout the evening.

Period three was a much more tentative situation, with both teams struggling to sustain pressure. Most Hawks dump attempts were nullified by the excellent puck handling skills of Carey Price, who sprung two breaks with 120 foot passes catching the Hawks in changes. Patrick Kane, who had another strong effort handling the puck all night, gained the Montreal line after dekeing a Montreal defender and served up a pass to Patrick Sharp that he couldn't, and didn't miss on with 4 minutes to play. From there, Montreal failed to get any sustained pressure, even with the extra attacker. Hawks win 3-2.

Observations

The Hawks defensive positioning has been exceptional the past few games.Very few pucks see the middle of the ice without a Hawk stick coming in contact with it. Even with the scoring down while missing key forwards, if the defense remains solid, this will bode well
Kris Versteeg continues to make the three writers of this site look like idiots even more frequently than we do on our own. VERSTEEG! was everywhere in every situation, and is exhibiting a hockey sense that we didn't see last year. Long may it continue.
The power play is still fucking clown shoes.

Player of The Game

As we mentioned above, VERSTEEG! was all over the place tonight, with a goal and an assist. A well-deserved honor both here, and as the official first star of the game on his part.

Honoroable Mention

Words absolutely fail me.

Translation after the jump.

Cela va être bref, parce que honnêtement, j'ai bu à faire. Demain, encore au moins un des trois d'entre nous va tenter quelque chose se rapprochant d'une convaincante pensée concernant le match.

Inclinaison de ce soir a commencé à un rythme rapide, avec la glace inclinée dans les Hawks faveur. À peu près quatre minutes, Andrew Ladd absolument éviscéré Matt D'Agostini avec un borderline frappé à la ligne bleue de Montréal. Ayant l'avantage de voir la rediffusion à la maison, on pouvait voir que, même si Ladd naissait définitivement à la hausse au moment de l'impact et que son coude au corps, sa sortie de ses pieds sur le suivi par le biais de son bras en cause l'équipage officiant à donner Ladd une inconduite de partie et un grands coups de coude. La peine a été légèrement atténuée par une rude et l'instigateur commises par Kyle Chipchura dans la défense de son coéquipier tombés, laissant les Hawks en désavantage numérique pendant 3 minutes, ce qui les Hawks tués. Plus tard au cours de la période, VERSTEEG! a marqué de derrière le net bancaire une rondelle hors de Marc-André Bergeron.

La pression a continué dans la seconde, et Cam Barker furtivement à partir du point sur un jeu de puissance pour enterrer un flux à partir Versteeg, donnant les Hawks une avance de 2-0. Il fut le seul moment de compétence de toute la nuit pour profiter des Hawks homme. Dans les minutes de déclin de la période, Montréal attaché le concours avec un but de Michael Cammalleri sur le côté du filet sur une rondelle déviée, et Travis Moen glisser l'un par Cristobal Huet par derrière le filet. Avec un PuBe de moins de trois secondes de la fin de la période. C'était un objectif mous de Huet, qui sans doute aurait dû avoir son poste couvrait plus confortablement, mais cirs était dans l'ensemble très solide tout au long de la soirée.

Période de trois était une situation beaucoup plus hypothétique, les deux équipes luttant pour maintenir la pression. La plupart des Hawks de vidage des tentatives ont été annulées par la rondelle excellente aptitude à traiter de Carey Price, qui poussé deux pauses avec 120 pied passe attraper les Hawks lors de changements. Patrick Kane, qui avait un autre effort important maniement de la rondelle toute la nuit, a gagné la ligne Montréal après dekeing un défenseur de Montréal et servi une passe à Patrick Sharp qu'il ne pouvait pas, et ne manquez pas sur avec 4 minutes à jouer. De là, Montréal n'a pas pu obtenir aucune pression soutenue, même avec un attaquant supplémentaire. Hawks victoire de 3-2.

Observations

* Positionnement Hawks La défensive a été exceptionnelle les quelques dernières games.Very quelques rondelles de voir le milieu de la glace sans un bâton Hawk entrer en contact avec elle. Même avec le score vers le bas tout en manquant clé vers l'avant, si la défense reste solide, ce sera de bon augure
* Kris Versteeg continue de faire les trois auteurs de ce regard site comme des idiots encore plus fréquemment que nous le faisons nous-mêmes. VERSTEEG! était partout dans chaque situation, et présentant un sens du hockey que nous n'avons pas vu l'année dernière. Long mai se poursuive.
* Le jeu de puissance est toujours putain de chaussures de clown.