Posted by moy23 on 2/20/2011 8:34:00 PM (view original):
Leddy does seem to be showing promise. Might even allow the hawks to let Seabrook go.

It is a consideration, especially with the young D in the system. 

 Team lacks character ,fans lack character..match made in heaven

Posted by moy23 on 2/20/2011 8:31:00 PM (view original):
Hawks finally played a physical game and it paid off.

I thought they were physical, but not in the hitting sense. they were strong on the puck and used their body well and drove the net well. they also showed a lot more desire than they've shown lately.

You are blocking the author of this post, randle44.

Man, I can only imagine the idiotic babble I'm missing.  I'm betting the words "heart" and/or "soul" appear in the post I'm blocking.

it's very interesting that since coach Q has been out, we've seen less and less of Tomas Kopecky and more of Jake Dowell and Nick Leddy. I wonder if that's just coincidence or if there's something more to that.

The last couple of games they've gotten better efforts from the 3rd and 4th lines. Bryan Bickell has really improved by leaps and bounds this season and it's nice to see him get rewarded with points and ice-time. I'll be the first to admit I didn't see him ever reaching the 20 goal plateau in the NHL, and he's on track to come pretty damn close (currently on pace for 19), and +9 to boot. He's this year's Troy Brouwer.

Hawks move up to #10

for anyone keeping score of the Norris trophy "race", dustin byfuglien now has 3 goals, 5 points in 19 games and is a -7 since the calendar turned to 2011.

he's better as a forward..

Certainly more valuable as one, and his defensive deficiencies can be hidden easier when he's a forward.

Been a few months since I checked in here.  This thread needs a new title.  Shouldn't it be called Stanley Cup Has Beens instead?

Posted by holer on 2/24/2011 1:14:00 AM (view original):
Certainly more valuable as one, and his defensive deficiencies can be hidden easier when he's a forward.

I completely agree. The difference is that as a 3rd line forward he's invaluable and his inconsistencies aren't an issue because he's surrounded by others who can step up when he doesn't show up. As a "core" player, those inconsistencies can be the difference between wins and losses, as evidenced by the team's 5-11-4 record since January 1st (the same span that Byfuglien has slumped in). That's the only reason why I always said he wasn't as valuable to the Hawks as people were suggesting. He was valuable, but not irreplaceable, in time of course.

Posted by andru2797 on 2/24/2011 8:01:00 AM (view original):

Posted by holer on 2/24/2011 1:14:00 AM (view original):
Certainly more valuable as one, and his defensive deficiencies can be hidden easier when he's a forward.

I completely agree. The difference is that as a 3rd line forward he's invaluable and his inconsistencies aren't an issue because he's surrounded by others who can step up when he doesn't show up. As a "core" player, those inconsistencies can be the difference between wins and losses, as evidenced by the team's 5-11-4 record since January 1st (the same span that Byfuglien has slumped in). That's the only reason why I always said he wasn't as valuable to the Hawks as people were suggesting. He was valuable, but not irreplaceable, in time of course.

The franchise in ATL is idiotic if they are depending on a D-Man to carry the franchise. He's not supposed to be scoring 50 goals a season in that role. I think its incorrect to simply imply that the team has a 5-11-4 record because buff struggled during that time - what about the other 22 players? True its his job to stop goals.... but I've never seen a team win a 0-0 game.

Really - by your logic - The hawks had 112 points last year with Buff - and since he left they have slumped to 68 points in 60 games... must be all because of buff.

as a side - looks like sopel is the second ex-hawk to be moved again (to montreal this time)

Good luck to Sopes in Montreal.

I have a good feeling about tonight's game.  Or maybe that's just dinner I'm looking forward to.

Posted by moy23 on 2/24/2011 4:33:00 PM (view original):

Posted by andru2797 on 2/24/2011 8:01:00 AM (view original):

Posted by holer on 2/24/2011 1:14:00 AM (view original):
Certainly more valuable as one, and his defensive deficiencies can be hidden easier when he's a forward.

I completely agree. The difference is that as a 3rd line forward he's invaluable and his inconsistencies aren't an issue because he's surrounded by others who can step up when he doesn't show up. As a "core" player, those inconsistencies can be the difference between wins and losses, as evidenced by the team's 5-11-4 record since January 1st (the same span that Byfuglien has slumped in). That's the only reason why I always said he wasn't as valuable to the Hawks as people were suggesting. He was valuable, but not irreplaceable, in time of course.

The franchise in ATL is idiotic if they are depending on a D-Man to carry the franchise. He's not supposed to be scoring 50 goals a season in that role. I think its incorrect to simply imply that the team has a 5-11-4 record because buff struggled during that time - what about the other 22 players? True its his job to stop goals.... but I've never seen a team win a 0-0 game.

Really - by your logic - The hawks had 112 points last year with Buff - and since he left they have slumped to 68 points in 60 games... must be all because of buff.

as a side - looks like sopel is the second ex-hawk to be moved again (to montreal this time)

the only thing I'm implying is that its ridiculous to suggest that buffs 3 good months are enough to even be nominated for a Norris trophy.