GDT: Game 2: Hawkopoly | Sabres @ Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m. CDT (CSN) 10/11/14

[OhCaptainMyCaptain]

Rewatching the game this morning. The power play Buffalo had at the beginning of the third... It was like we were on the attack. That was great.

 

[OhCaptainMyCaptain]

I hope Hossa never ever retires.

 

[Bring Back GLR]

Richards is gonna have to find another gear soon and get it going other than that the Hawks are flying.

 

[Mad Dog Madison]

It's only two games, but Shaw is a better player than Richards.

I'm not knocking Shaw here, as he has proven himself on other lines as well, but just about any player is going to look very good playing next to Kane and Saad.

 

[Sarava]

I'm not knocking Shaw here, as he has proven himself on other lines as well, but just about any player is going to look very good playing next to Kane and Saad.

Handzus debunked that theory already.

 

[KyleJRM]

I've been known to be wildly wrong, but I still think on paper this is the best Hawks team we've seen yet in this run. Even the worst players on the team have given me things I liked and look like there could be something there (Morin, I'm looking at you. The talent is clearly there).

Some second-tier guys who are the right age to take a step forward have looked really good to me: Saad, Shaw, TVR.

 

[Mad Dog Madison]

Handzus debunked that theory already.

I stand corrected. I'll revise that as any person who can skate competently will look good next to Kane and Saad.

 

[hisgirlfriday]

I'm not knocking Shaw here, as he has proven himself on other lines as well, but just about any player is going to look very good playing next to Kane and Saad.

And yet... the best, hardest working line in preseason was the Bickell-Shaw-Versteeg line.

 

[hisgirlfriday]

I've been known to be wildly wrong, but I still think on paper this is the best Hawks team we've seen yet in this run. Even the worst players on the team have given me things I liked and look like there could be something there (Morin, I'm looking at you. The talent is clearly there).

Some second-tier guys who are the right age to take a step forward have looked really good to me: Saad, Shaw, TVR.

If we had Leddy still on the roster for this season so that our bottom two was Leddy-TVR (with Rozy's cap hit gone and only rolling a 22-man roster) then I'd be more receptive to this theory.

 

[here come the]

I've been known to be wildly wrong, but I still think on paper this is the best Hawks team we've seen yet in this run. Even the worst players on the team have given me things I liked and look like there could be something there (Morin, I'm looking at you. The talent is clearly there).

Some second-tier guys who are the right age to take a step forward have looked really good to me: Saad, Shaw, TVR.

I'm really excited about this team, but the 2010 team was the best roster and played the best for my money. That team just killed people.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Well Keith probably isn't winning the Norris this year. Not enough secondary assists.

He plays on the Hawks. He'll have 40 goals and 80 secondary assists by the end of the year. 0 primary assists though, he sucks

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Richards is gonna have to find another gear soon and get it going other than that the Hawks are flying.

Playing with Bickell and Smith isn't going to help

 

[member 151739]

And yet... the best, hardest working line in preseason was the Bickell-Shaw-Versteeg line.

Solution: clone Shaw.

 

[BobbyJet]

Have to agree with you for the most part here fiddy. The fourth line really showed some skill last night. Kruger, Morin and Carbomb all had some good chances. granted it could have been the competition but that's what a 4th line is supposed to do against a much weaker opponent.

As far as Richards goes, I was disappointed in him, Bickell and Smith all night. They were the only line that didn't generate any offense. I'll give him some more time though. You were too kind to Rundblad, he was awful last night.

So far TVR looks like a keeper. He still looks hesitant shooting the puck, but that will come in time. Like his aggressiveness though.

Yeah. Don't know if it's just me, but it looks like TVR has already gained some confidence in just a few games. I know it was Sabres, and our home opener, but TVR looked real good for a guy straight out of university..

 

[HawksFanTim]

Did Rundblad suffer a serious injury in the last few years?

It's almost impossible to believe this guy was once one of the top prospects in the world.

 

[poes law]

Did Rundblad suffer a serious injury in the last few years?

It's almost impossible to believe this guy was once one of the top prospects in the world.

Some prospects just can't adapt properly. He did a lot better in the SEL where the bigger ice meant he had a lot more time to make decisions. Watching the last few games, he holds onto the puck way too long and an opposing player is on him pressuring him into making a mistake right away.

 

[LordKOTL]

Unfortuinately I missed all but the 1st 10 mins of this one--was out watching Jaimie Kompon ruin the Portland winterhawks. I think he saved the railroad spikes he used for Sharp on the PP point and affixed them to Texiera.

Any way you slice this--a win is a win is a win--bring on Cal-gary.

I have to speak out against the use of absolutes though. Are we going to be dissapointed come March/April? Who knows. If you really think that's it's a certainty we will be I'd love the specs on your crystal ball--or at least a peek at the Gray's Sports Almanac you have.

 

[Blue Liner]

So, hasn't been said in here at one point or time or another that Rundblad would be a Leddy replacement regarding his skating and skill set? Cuz if that's the case.....no. Not even close. I was willing to give him a benefit of the doubt and see how things play out, and maybe I'll still do that (probably by force unless he's taken out of the lineup) but he looks nothing short of drunk out there on the ice. If this keeps up, that was truly a major swing-and-a-miss transaction.

 

[Kurtosis]

So, hasn't been said in here at one point or time or another that Rundblad would be a Leddy replacement regarding his skating and skill set? Cuz if that's the case.....no. Not even close. I was willing to give him a benefit of the doubt and see how things play out, and maybe I'll still do that (probably by force unless he's taken out of the lineup) but he looks nothing short of drunk out there on the ice. If this keeps up, that was truly a major swing-and-a-miss transaction.

It would be nice if they would just admit it now and waive him in favor of someone else. He just looks lost out there.

 

[MTP]

Gotta agree, Rundblad looks like a trainwreck on the ice. Might as well call up Johns or Clendening.

 

[Bubba88]

I don't get this Rundblad hate.

He isn't terrible. He isn't doing much wrong. He just doesn't do anything so far and is completly outplayed by a Rookie. He is the Definition of a replaceable Player. He is just there kinda like playing 10 mins a game of at least not get scored on.
I'd want to see him on the PP as a specialist and give him more time to adapt his game to NA. He'll get better when he is used to the smaller ice and less time. It worked out well the same with Krüger.

 

[Kurtosis]

I don't get this Rundblad hate.

He isn't terrible. He isn't doing much wrong. He just doesn't do anything so far and is completly outplayed by a Rookie. He is the Definition of a replaceable Player. He is just there kinda like playing 10 mins a game of at least not get scored on.
I'd want to see him on the PP as a specialist and give him more time to adapt his game to NA. He'll get better when he is used to the smaller ice and less time. It worked out well the same with Krüger.

What do you mean he hasn't been terrible and isn't doing much wrong? Have you been watching different games than 99% of the board?

He has been playing on North American ice for a while now so I don't buy that excuse. Finally, you want to see him and his snail-like pace of decision making on the PP? No thanks.

 

[BobbyJet]

It would be nice if they would just admit it now and waive him in favor of someone else. He just looks lost out there.

Yep. Surely Q's patience must be running out. I don't see any use whatsoever to keep him hanging round (and certainly not just because we gave up a 2nd rounder for him).

 

[Elvis P]

This was a truly great GDT. Glad I'm not following it.

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I don't get this Rundblad hate.

He isn't terrible. He isn't doing much wrong. He just doesn't do anything so far and is completly outplayed by a Rookie. He is the Definition of a replaceable Player. He is just there kinda like playing 10 mins a game of at least not get scored on.
I'd want to see him on the PP as a specialist and give him more time to adapt his game to NA. He'll get better when he is used to the smaller ice and less time. It worked out well the same with Krüger.

He's on his fourth NHL team. Getting used to smaller ice is an excuse that list merit a few years ago.