Know Your Enemy: Da 'Hawks
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 28, 2009 6:17 PM PDT
in NHL Playoffs
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If you see a Blackhawks fan in the coming days, at least stop to thank them for taking care of Calgary (and remind them we took care of one of their own in St. Louis). That's probably where the pleasantries can stop for the time being.
For Vancouver it'll be another test against a young team, though this time around one with some kids who are actually scoring, a formidable blueline, and a goalie who is on a roll and has his name on the Cup. Yes, these are things you should be concerned about.
And, since this is the first time I've taken the time to look up and down their roster to any level of detail, I'll say this: they have won some very minor trades that have turned huge. Not sure how the Chicago fans feel about their GM Tallon (who is a former Canucks first rounder from 1970) but he's quietly made some moves that has panned out great for their roster. Oh yeah they have Bowman too huh? Bastards.
Anyway, let's take a look at the lads we'll learn to foster a good deal of sports hate in.
(Notable Forwards)
A first round pick (get used to hearing that) in 2006, Toews may get overshadowed by Kane but he is their captain (youngest in the league) and played a strong first round with 2G and 4A (and 8 PIMs). We'll be seeing plenty of him at ES and on the PP. Quite likely he'll run up against Mitchell or Ohlund. I believe I saw Toews in a game or two driving hard to the Calgary net but I could be wrong (hell that could have been Bertuzzi).
First overall pick in 2007, Kane is typically the one guy you think of when you envision the Chicago kids (perhaps the whole Calder trophy he won last year has something to do with it). He had 2G and 2A against Calgary, missing one game due to the flu. He has put up two straight 70 plus point seasons and is another great talent who will be out there for plenty of EV & PP time (he lead the team with 13 PPG in the regular season).
Havlat and Sami Salo have at least one thing in common: duct-taped torsos. Havlat has had a multitude of injuries over the past few seasons but this year he rewarded Chicago's patience by leading the team in points (77) while only missing a single game, both career highs. I openly pondered trading for him back in December when he was slumping a bit (and I'd still take Prucha, there I said it). When healthy he's a solid two-way guy who racked up six points (3G, 3A) in the first round. Think Havlat misses Ottawa by now? Go ask Chara too while you're at it.
Originally drafted by Boston, Versteeg made his way to Chicago last year by being swapped for Brandon Bochenski. And now Versteeg is up for the Calder while Bochenski didn't play a second with Tampa Bay this year. So...yeah, me thinks Chicago won this deal. The kid currently leads the team in post season points (2G, 5A). The Flames accused him early on in their series of trash talking which is almost as adorable as Backes saying the Sedins were doing it too.
A first round pick by the Canes in 2004, Ladd was moved to Chicago in exchange for Tuomo Ruutu last year. This year Ladd absolutely crushed his career totals (over double his previous career high in points from his sophomore campaign) and also showed up in all 82 games, another career best. He reminds me a bit of Pyatt in terms of a big guy who has a history of injuries but this is definitely his break out year. He's also from B.C. so, you know, hate him in a special "aww shucks he don't mean it" way.
Mr. Bolland (sounds like an insurance salesman name) is another high pick from the 2004 draft and another guy who has crushed his career bests this year (to the tune of 30 points better). He's second on the team in penalties in the playoffs with 14 PIMs so please, my new friend, keep that going.
Sharp was drafted by Philadelphia in the third round of 2001, but was exchanged for Matt Ellison in 2005. Who's Matt Ellison you ask? He's over in Latvia now, so never you mind. Point being this is another great move by the Hawks to land a kid and give him icetime. He exits the first round with six points (3G, 3A).
Another series, another former Duck who you should have learned to hate already. When the deadline rolled around, rumors were Vancouver wanted Pahlsson for the same reason Chicago landed him: an excellent PK'er and shutting down the opposition. He missed a chunk of the season due to the pig virus (or something) and wasn't around when Vancouver slammed Chicago 4-0 in their last meeting. I suspect he'll be used liberally against the Sedins, especially in Chicago. Regardless, he may not end up on the scoresheet that much but expect him to excel at frustrating his fellow Swedes as best as he can (what's "give your balls a tug" in Swedish?).
I'd wager a guess that Eager wasn't hugged enough as a kid. Or maybe you can yank the guy out of Philadelphia but once a Flyer always a Flyer. Whatever the case is, Eager's piece in the line brawl last time around should have left little doubt in your mind that's he psychotic. He also has the third highest PIMs in the postseason (25). You know what you'll get with him, but I suspect in a tight match-up such as how this looks on paper, he'll be reigned in. Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he is what he is and that's why Darcy Blackout gets his icetime. And, unlike the last time these guys met, we also have a healthy Rypien (not that Rypien is in the same weight class as Eager, but god knows that hasn't stopped him before).
My favorite quote about this guy (who's last name I have tried twice to say out loud and know I didn't succeed pronouncing it right on either attempt...it's BUHF-lihn) is from the Province: "...everything a young Todd Bertuzzi promised to be only with a brain." Not too sure if that's a compliment given how Bert has played, but we can assume he won't be chucking errant elbows to put his team in a hole early on. A guy who can play forward or defense (though likely forward against Vancouver) and, yes, another player with a career year (31 points).
(Notable Defensemen)
The biggest free agent signing from last summer (not named Sundin anyway), Campbell took some heat early on for playing poor in his own end. He shaped up eventually and proceeeded to have a career year for the Hawks, finishing fifth on the team in points (52). He's exactly what the Blues didn't have: a PP quarterback with a bomb of a shot. An aside: he should make friends with Bernier seeing how they were traded for each other last year (and is it too soon to mention that both teams involved in that swap aren't in the playoffs anymore?).
First round pick in 2003 blah blah blah. OK I'll admit it: I hate this guy and it's all because of fantasy hockey. Somehow, in the past two years, he ends up on my team (one of those last round picks where you don't really care anymore) and I hang on to him for PIMs or the occasional assist. Then he does nothing and I drop him in a bout of late night drunken team fixin'. Next he'll have vomit up a five game point streak, so I yank him off the waivers and he reverts back to his one point for every seven games thing. Not cool dude. I tried to like you, I honestly did. You're even a B.C. guy. But it's over now. You're dead to me and my fantasy team (the fondly named "Welcome To My Face"...you should see the logo).
Picked third behind Ovechkin and Malkin in the 2004 draft, Barker hasn't been terribly consistent over the past few years (which explains why he spent the beginning of the year in the AHL) but he matured gradually over this season. Like most kids on this team, he has a career year in points (40) and has been great in the playoffs so far, tied with Seabrook (*spits*) for the lead in points from a Chicago defensemen (3G, 3A). Another big guy who isn't afraid to chuck his size around.
Spent most of his hockey life with the Blues before this season, he's a bottom four blueliner who is more apt to play shutdown then providing any offense. As you can see above...um, he also has a face. Oh yeah, he's also the younger brother of former WHL player Darby Walker. That's literally all I got on the guy. Thanks Wikipedia.
Here's their version of Willie Mitchell. Keith was a second round pick from 2002 and is an all around great player, but probably best known for being a shut down guy. Fun facts: he was a +30 last year when the Hawks didn't make the post season and, this year, he lead all defensemen with a +33, just edging out Lidstrom who was at +31 (g/t HungryHawk). Not sure who he'll draw from the Vancouver ranks (him and Seabrook against the Sedins perhaps) but he'll do his best to stifle them.
Just kidding. I think another Saltine took him down. Express your sorrow in hair beautification product endorsements only.
(Goalies)
The guy who looks like he should be in the Russian mafia is back (though I will tip my hat that he is making it a personal career goal to trounce the Flames at every given opportunity). Vancouver lit him up in their last meeting, but I shouldn't have to tell you that doesn't count anymore. If he's in the zone and makes some saves, he'll be very tough to beat and he's got a great shutdown defense in front of him making it that much harder (hmm, doesn't that sound a bit like another team you know?)
Remember this past summer when we all wondered why Chicago would have picked up Huet when they had Khabby? Well, they stuck to it and they're the only team left in the playoffs that is lugging around two #1 goalies. Not too shabby for them and, while I doubt Vancouver will be chasing Khabby based on their style of play, hopefully a rusty Huet will stand in his stead if it happens.
Fun with numbers
- Goals Against Average: Chicago is 8th with 2.67 GAA, Vancouver is #1 with a 1.25 GAA.
- Penalties: Chicago is averaging 13.5 PIMs a game, third fewest in the post season. Vancouver (wait for it...) is 15th with 20.2 PIMs a game. Ugh.
- Powerplay: Chicago is second best with 29.2%, Vancouver is fifth at 22.2%.
- Penalty Kill: Chicago is fifth best with 88.9%, Vancouver is second at 95.8%.
- Goals per game: Chicago is third best at 3.50, Vancouver is 7th at 2.75.
- Production per line at even strength:
- Kane/Sharp/Toews = 8 pts
- Bolland/Havlat/Ladd = 5 pts
- Byfuglien/Pahlsson/Versteeg = 5 pts
- Production per line on the power play:
- Havlat/Sharp/Toews = 5 pts
- Bolland/Byfuglien/Kane = 3 pts
- Byfuglien/Havlat/Versteeg = 3 pts
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Comments
That couldn't have taken
more than five, ten minutes to put together?
If we are going to win this series, we need secondary scorers like Bernier and Wellwood to be chipping in. And our D has to continue contributing.
They’ve got a lot of depth and we’ll be dead orcas if the Sedins are the only ones scoring.
Haha, five-ten minutes? I wish man.
But yeah, my thoughts (that I’ll put in the series preview in a bit) is very much about role players and the PK. SOB should go off caffeine until the preseason camp as far as I’m concerned.
And if ever there was a moment in Sundin’s life that he wanted to make a difference in the post season, it’s in front of him. ZERO excuses now to make his veteran presence felt.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 28, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Linden should come out of retirement.
It’s probably too much to ask for Sundin to be the game-breaker he once was. I’m content in the fact that he takes pressure off the Sedins, and (imo) allows the third line to play “softer” minutes.
Didn’t Sundin score the game winner in Game 2?
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 28, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, before he bowed out for two games. I more meant a consistent threat. If not, at least get the face off wins going again.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 28, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
You mean JHC?
Nah man he’s great.. Not Burrows.. There’s a man to hate.. Honestly now who pulls hair?
Who cares? So he acts like your sister. As long as he gets the job done!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 28, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions
HAHA
1: i don’t have a sister
2: I said to my wife, I think he’s fish hookin him. I coldn’t find anythin on the net about that. Hey he had to do something, how do you defend a hair pull? I give him a 10 for creativity
hey you’re right to hate Burrows if you’re a hawk fan. He has twice the character and determination than any hawk, and he is damn sure gonna hurt you.
He's By and he's fugli, he's a Byfuglien
You're damn right it hurts
When you’re hair gets pulled out. Character and Determintaiton huh? well that’s debatable, Only CHARACTERS i know who pull hair are girls in the Halls of a High School Fight.
Yeah, no character OR determination required to go from an ECHL-er to a first line NHL-er in 5 years.
GOT US THERE!
That's Determination agreed
but notice i didn’t say anything about his detemination. And as Chicagokill noted Toews will have something to say about that. He’s learned to drive to the net now casuing havoc and is a beast along the boards too.
but he hasn’t learned to drive to the net with Mitchell and Ohlund guarding it. Keith Tkachuk is as good anyone in the league driving to the net, but was ineffective last series.
He's By and he's fugli, he's a Byfuglien
Jesus Havlat Christ huh? haha
You guys crack me up.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 28, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Burrows is Mr Everything
Even Jesus Christ himself cannot lay claim to that title.
Speaking of blasphemy…
It's ok...
As one of my friends said on a drunken evening.
Ya I’m going to hell but thats ok cause all of my friends will be there with me.
Cheers
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 28, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s weird, if you look at Campbell’s PIM they are astonishingly low.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
That's why he's referred to as
Phantom 51 on Second City board.
He’s almost been non-existent for much of the 2nd 1/2 of the season. Except on Pay day!
what’s up with that board? I looked at it once, right after the hawks won the first round, and they were have a lame discussion about Miller being a good beer.
He's By and he's fugli, he's a Byfuglien
oxymoron, yeah. well my real point was that it was the only thing being discussed, and they had just won their first round.
He's By and he's fugli, he's a Byfuglien
well at least you douchebags have a sense of humour.
The St. Louis fans sure didn’t.
He's By and he's fugli, he's a Byfuglien
It’s a different crowd heh? But I really enjoyed the company of a lot of the Blues fans.
Wait until this series is 2 games in. All bets are off!
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 29, 2009 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember that miller conversation
and hiding my head in shame.
I think it was refered to as a good beer in the context of being cheap. Personally I drink something good then switch to something like swiller when the taste bads are thoroughly numb and you don’t want to waste good beer if you can’t taste it.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 30, 2009 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions
Throughout his career though.
I'm old enough to understand. Jerks.
by rollonubears on Apr 29, 2009 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Keith
Is more dangerous than Campbell, I’d think…
Let’s hope Sopel sucks as much as he has ever been.
We are all Canucks.
Sopel hasn't touched the Lineup
Since October i think, I don’t think he will now again. Cause he’s been just terrible
Yeah I should have been more blunt. I just included him as a joke. Almost because I find him grotesquely overrated and I know there’s some Canuck fans out there who love him.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 29, 2009 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Sopel has been out since december
Had his elbow reconstructed. He has been practicing with the team, but is on long term IR still. Probably won’t come off that unless someone gets hurt.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 30, 2009 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions
Information overload. Great post.
I loved watching the Hawks during the regular season…great energy and an open style of play. As with the STL series, it comes down to the kids. STL’s kids didn’t handle it all very well and wilted…will the Hawks? They’ve proven they can go into a hostile Canadian city and take a game away…albeit against a depleted Calgary team.
Then, I go back to that last regular season game we played. Both teams playing for playoff positioning…the fans in Chicago stacked to the rafters and into the game…and the Hawks stunk up the joint, resorting to gooning at the end of the match.
It’s going to be a fun one to watch…too bad the NHL will be creaming themselves over the Pittsburgh v Washington matchup…nobody will ever hear about this series (unless they visit this website!)
A couple things, GZ
- the regular season means sweet poo at this time of year, except for the hostilities from the March 29 game.
- Vancouver is Canada’s only hope this year. That will garner attention for sure. (When was the last time the Canucks were Canada’s only hope this early in the playoffs? Never?)
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 28, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions
1994 after we squashed the Leafs! GLORIOUS!
by Beantown Canuck on Apr 28, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions
No, that was round 3. I mean Pre-Round 2.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 28, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I am satisfied
by the fact that you are fully aware of which round that occured in.
Say, you used to cheer for the Leafs, right? :-)
Nice post YC
Good overview, will be an interesting Friday morning here… thank the NHL for not making it a 4pm PST start… I’d have to be up at 5am or some even more ridiculous hour to catch the pregame show.
Greetings from Chicago
Seeing some Second City Hockey regulars here. (And also: good sum-up here on the team, except that you left out Burish, who is a pain in the ass on the fourth line. Makes the line better, really.)
Anywho — Big Buff has been a disappointment all year, but a couple wraparound moves against the Flames were so sick that the CDC has just declared him a public health emergency. Turning into a legit threat at just the right time.
There is a certain contingent at the Second City Hockey House of Cracks that hates Matt Walker with a passion. But he went up in everybody’s book by getting in there and hitting people. And, also, playing with nine fingers in Game 6 and most of Game 5. That was pretty awesome too.
Seabs is a beast. So is VERSTEEG!
The one thing you’ll want to remember, however, is that nobody on the team outworks Toews. Watch him on the boards, and much more often than not he carries the puck out.
(Also remember, please, that hair pulling is childish and weird.)
Should be a good series. Hope to see you along the way.
WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE!
by Sec 326 Bureau Chief on Apr 29, 2009 4:51 AM PDT reply actions
also missed Brouwer
he of the keep hitting Phadouche until he can’t see straight variety.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 30, 2009 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe Yank’s trying not to think about #37.
Indifference is much more insulting than active dislike, which inplies an emotional investment of sorts.
This is gonna be great!
Yeah…that’s the ticket!
In truth I didn’t have time to review everyone so I went by the names I know, the names I read about from their first round series and then those on the scoresheet. It’s so scientifically astute I could just punch myself.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 29, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Overall nice summary.
Bolland deserves more props though, has been a solid centermen for us this year in a shutdown role and still has managed to put up some pretty good numbers, very knowledgeable player. As for Campbell, not so much, I wouldn’t hesitate to call him a bust. QB of the powerplay? Cam Barker has officially taken over that role while Campbell has excelled at merely bringing the puck up to center and dumping it in while in the meantime acting as a doormat for the oppositions big men and lacking in defensive coverage. Bomb of a shot? Never hits the net
Lets Go Hawks!
That’s really too bad about Campbell.. haha
But he will absolutely smoke any guy who has his head down.
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 29, 2009 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
People are too rough on Campbell.. I think he looked good in the playoffs. I think his skating looks amazing right now.
chicagokill is right
Campbell managed to remember how to play hockey sometime in the middle of game 4 against the Flamers. Barker has stepped up and turned into the PP and offensive Dman Campbell was suposed to be, and Barker will hit you. Campbell most of the year couldn’t even be bothered to hit the head down opponents, but he did manage some physical contact the last few games.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 30, 2009 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m calling it now, Seabs and Keith are overrated and will be destroyed in the playoffs. Keith will be good offensively but their best defenseman will be Barker.
There’s a good chance I’ll be wrong here :)
A really good chance
You’ll be wrong. They may not light up the scoring totals but you’re not +33 on a fluke.
definitely wrong
they were a huge part of keeping Iginla off the scoresheet in 4/6 games.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 30, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Funny how the Hawks have the 2nd best PP and the Nucks have the 2nd best PK.
AND Hawks have the 5th best PK, while the Nucks 5th best PP
I guess every game is going to OT then :)
by Sean Zandberg on Apr 30, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I just realized this post and Second City’s post on the Vancouver defense are up on NHL.com. That’s pretty cool.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 30, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
That's pretty damn cool
You’ guys have some pull. Talk to Bettman about putting this series on National TV on Staurday would ya ;)
Yeah I’m sure we could pull a substantial list together of topics for Gary to ponder.
'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.
by Yankee Canuck on Apr 30, 2009 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
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