$3 One More Special Message To Go, Then We’re Done, And We Can Go Home...For 3 Weeks $3 The Committed Indian The REal Fan’s Program secondcityhockey.com January 21st, 2009 [email protected] YOU SHALL KNOW THEM BY THE TRAIL OF INJURED

It stood to reason that once we spent Versteeg has hit a wall, meaning Toews has taken 9 of the last 14 points on offer. We’ve considerable space panning the Wild, they to create all on his own, because God knows all seen how tough of a time the Blues give the would probably make us look stupid. One Buff isn’t going to with his hit-and-miss more Hawks, and tonight should be no different. aspect of the Hawks play this season that consistency. The Kane-Sharp Axis of Evil is has scored in the Blues’ doesn’t get mentioned enough -- McDonough off the rails at the moment. So, again, we’re last three games, and the future nightmare- has ears everywhere -- is their tendency to hitting the Call Kontiola Button. The Hawks combo of and Patrik Berglund not put 60 minutes together. Even during need to get scoring from their premier play- have -streaks of the same span. This the December Streak of Carnage, there were ers. To do that, Sharp needs to be on a wing. isn’t quite the scoring-for-shits-and-giggles games in there where they were outplayed for A trade with another team for a center is go- power play unit it was at the start of the year. stretches. They had been getting away with ing to be a logistical nightmare. The Hawks However, with the way the Hawks’ kill it then, as when they did show up they were need to find out if they can solve this problem has looked without , it would head-and-shoulders above the opposition, in-house. A call-up for Kontiola now would behoove the Hawks to stay out of the box but not so much in January. Such was the give them a month to find out if they need to tonight. case on Monday. acquire someone. We’d love to see him take We’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better When The WIld certainly sagged back Buff’s ice-time, we’re tired of waiting. But You’re Gone enough after going up three to let the Hawks that remains our wish. We know Konti hasn’t Games with the Blues have been a find their legs, but the West Side Hockey Club blown anyone away of late in Rockford, but headache. We know we’re better, and yet we wasn’t anywhere to be found in the first half we’ll attribute that to hating the place. After struggle to show it. These games just seem of the game. After the break, when the games all, wouldn’t you? to mean more to St. Louis, probably because get tougher, and more important, the Hawks We’re Waking Up, We Can See That there isn’t much else going on down there. are going to have to find a way to consistently There’s Not Much Left Of You The Hawks always see a max-effort from the put a full game out there, or the season could So, to tonight’s encounter with what Bluenotes, full of chippy play and mucho hit- get pear-shaped in a hurry. is left of the St. Louis Blues. Any discussion of ting. The Hawks have not responded to it well Memo to the Hawks: Teams have the Blues has to start with their farcical injury at all. caught on to your cross-ice, backdoor play on list. We had to shrink the type in that section You know how the Blues will play this the man-advantage. Please, for the love of just to fit it all in. They are second, behind one. They’re one of the few teams around God, stop being so cute with the puck. Goals the Islanders, in man-games lost to injury that is intent on taking it to the Hawks physi- that are ugly count the same as those that are this season. That being said, the Blues come cally and cutting the space. But this team is pretty. Get the puck to the net, with men in in playing well of late, at least for them. On half-St. Louis/half-Peoria, and the Hawks are front, make teams adjust to that. Then your Monday afternoon, they won an acid-flash- better at hockey than them. Simply match beloved pretty passing plays will be open back of a game in a shootout over the equally their intensity -- the effort we saw for the last again. beat-up Bruins, and as we all saw, they 30 on Monday -- and we’ll have the points. Oh, and we’re sounding the Pound- thoroughly outplayed us on Saturday. They’ve -The Commodore Brian-Campbell Alarm. In the last issue, we mentioned how he was no longer out there when our power plays start, but Monday there was so much more to pick on. Careless play in his own end, sloppy passing, turnovers galore, it was a smorgasbord of idiocy. With Keith out, 51 Phantom is the only defenseman capable of a transition game (Wiz doesn’t have the vision). He can’t do that when he’s play- ing as if on quaaludes. We knew his defensive play would leave us feeling unfulfilled like a woman who just slept with a teenager, but we expect dynamic offensive play almost all of the time. Phantom has two points in his last eight games. This has to stop, because we don’t want to think about his contract and start vomiting blood for the next seven years. This Is A Call To All Our Last Res- ignations Once again, the Hawks were a one line team, as they’ve been too much lately. They got away with it when Bollahavladd was eye socket-fucking the opposition. But when they’re not, the Hawks are getting next to nothing from their other two scoring lines. The Blues Treatment Room

MUSINGS FROM THE EDITOR

-When we decided to do this, I sort of felt that I might be the think that’s probably more on their side than ours. But most of my dumbest person in the world. The editors of The Blue Line, upon favorite hockey memories are from games against the Blues, good which this is so heavily based on, were smart enough to get out, and bad. The heartache of ‘93, the series win of ‘92 led by JR, and (presumably) grow up. Why would I dive right back into it? I Manson-Stevens in ‘91. But there is one that is defining for me, and hadn’t heard of such a thing anywhere else. Or so I cemented my Hawks fandom for the rest of my life. thought.... It was Wednesday, December 20th, 1989. I had I then began a tawdry email relationship shocked my family when, at the age of 9, I had in- with one Sean Gallagher, who writes and edits St. formed them my preference for the standing room of Louis Gametime. For those who don’t know, it’s the Old Stadium. To me, that was the most fun place been the unofficial fan’s guide/program to Blues to watch the game from, also the cheapest (I was hockey for years now, down there on the other side of racked with liberal guilt any time my family spent the Mississippi. We’ve been able to pass ideas back money on me), and where the real Hawks fans were, and forth, suggestions, stories of frozen limbs and which I thought I was. My older brother Adam blood-stained programs (well, I have on the last one. was my constant guardian up there, where we stood amongst his lacrosse buddies, which lets you know Sean has managed to not leave his DNA on any of Sam Fels his. Pansy) Mostly, we’ve been able to provide the what type of guys these were. On this night, the security to each other that there is someone else out Hawks potted four goals in 1:56 in the 3rd period, there who’s silly enough, irresponsible enough, and has an absolute to go from a 6-5 deficit to a 9-6 lead (Brett Hull had 5 of the Blues’ refusal to become an adult and do something fun with their lives. 6). As you might imagine, the building was up for grabs at the end If you ever accompany the Hawks down to St. Louis, of this stretch, and it was at that point that one my brother’s friends please pick up a Gametime. It’s far more polished, informative, and picked me up and lifted me over his head. Both Adam and I were entertaining than I could ever make this thing, and their passionate sure I was about to get thrown on the ice, but thankfully it was just distaste for the Hawks and Hawks fans will make you smile. But do part of a raucous celebration. No other North American sport could pity them, just a little. After all, they’re Blues fans. manage the coke-binge passion of this moment, and I’ve since been -There’s been a lot of talk of how this rivalry is reheating, though I forever hooked. NHL STANDINGS *late game not included

Eastern Conference Western Conference

W L OTL PTS GF GA HOME AWAY W L OTL PTS GF GA HOME AWAY 1 Boston 33 8 5 71 164 103 17-3-2 16-5-3 1 San Jose* 33 6 5 71 158 107 21-1-2 12-5-3 2 Washington 30 15 3 63 153 138 19-3-1 11-12-2 2 Asshats 31 9 6 68 173 133 16-3-2 15-6-4 3 NY Rangers 28 16 4 60 127 125 15-8-2 13-8-2 3 Calgary 27 14 4 58 141 134 16-5-3 11-9-1 4 Montreal 27 12 6 60 143 122 15-4-4 12-8-2 4 HAWKS 25 11 8 58 152 112 14-3-5 11-8-3 5 New Jersey 28 15 3 59 140 116 13-8-1 15-7-2 5 Phoenix 24 19 5 53 126 139 16-6-2 8-13-3 6 Philadelphia 24 12 9 57 146 134 14-5-3 10-7-6 6 Edmonton 24 19 3 51 132 138 11-8-3 13-11-0 7 Buffalo 24 17 5 53 132 128 13-9-2 11-8-3 7 Anaheim 23 20 5 51 135 135 13-10-3 10-10-2 8 Carolina 23 20 5 51 121 142 12-10-1 11-10-4 8 * 22 19 6 50 136 135 11-10-3 11-9-3 9 Florida 21 16 8 50 128 128 10-5-5 11-11-3 9 23 20 3 49 117 107 13-9-3 10-11-0 10 Pittsburgh 23 21 4 50 144 146 11-11-2 12-10-2 10 Columbus 22 20 4 48 125 128 13-7-1 9-13-3 11 Toronto 17 22 7 41 133 164 8-10-4 9-12-3 11 Colorado 23 22 1 47 126 134 14-9-0 9-13-1 12 Tampa Bay 15 21 10 40 116 142 6-8-7 9-13-3 12 Dallas 19 18 7 45 126 151 11-6-4 8-12-3 13 Ottawa 16 21 7 39 108 129 11-7-4 5-14-3 13 Los Angeles 18 20 7 43 111 126 12-11-6 6-9-1 14 Atlanta 17 25 5 39 141 167 9-13-2 8-12-3 14 Nashville 20 23 3 43 111 134 12-9-1 8-14-2 15 NY Islanders 12 29 5 29 113 163 7-12-3 5-17-2 15 St. Louis 18 23 4 40 131 149 11-9-3 7-14-1

TOP 10 LIST PUCK DROP Top 10 Reasons St. Louis Will Always Suck , Aged (Note: This is a direct retaliation of St. Louis Gametime’s Top 11 List Jackass, St. Louis: Ah, that time again, when last Saturday. We’ll play your game, Gallagher!) Tkachuk’s contract is up 10. ’s throbbing vagina and he and St. Louis rig a 9. Living amongst Cardinal fans, even for just hours, makes you scheme where they’ll deal inbred him to a team that falsely 8. Blues play-by-play man John Kelly inflicting his son Dan upon us believes he’s the missing piece, only to resign in for two insufferable seasons St. Louis the following 7. Albert Pujols’s future testimony before Congress and conviction summer. We can’t wait to laugh at whoever for eating children decides to take the plunge on Tkachuk. We’re 6. And then Tony LaRussa drunkenly running over their remains sure someone will see the 14 goals and think 5. Paul Kariya’s tender labia he’s still got it, but that’s more a result of someone having to score for St. Louis. Tka- 4. Being held hostage by Keith Tkachuk for nine years now chuk isn’t the physical presence he once was, 3. T.J. Oshie’s inability to count to 4 as he can’t get there to hit anyone any more. 2. Lack of proper golf-cart operation education “Walt” would be the very definition of “past 1. Paul Kariya’s constant requests to cuddle it.” 25-11-8

A lot has been made of Kane’s cold-streak, but Versteeg has gone 7 without as well. Is this just a rookie hitting a wall, or water seeking its own level? Watch closely after the break.

# Pos Player Ht WT AGE GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Salary (Cap Hit) 88 R 5'10" 187 20 42 16 26 42 1 26 8 0 2 127 12.6 $3,725,000 24 R The Perfect Beard 6'2" 217 27 44 15 22 37 17 16 4 0 2 126 11.9 $6,000,000 32 L VerStud 5'10" 180 22 43 13 23 36 16 43 4 2 2 78 16.7 $491,667 19 C Marvel 6'2" 209 20 44 13 23 36 6 29 3 0 3 102 12.7 $2,800,000 10 L The Sharp-Shooter 6'1" 197 27 44 21 14 35 1 37 7 0 4 133 15.8 $3,900,000 51 D 51 Phantom 6'0" 188 29 44 7 23 30 7 10 4 0 1 60 11.7 $7,142,875 16 L Nails 6'2" 198 23 44 8 20 28 19 18 0 0 0 106 7.5 $1,550,000 2 D Duncan Keith 6'1" 194 25 41 5 21 26 23 20 1 1 1 86 5.8 $1,475,000 36 C Dave Bolland 6'0" 188 22 44 8 17 25 14 18 0 1 2 57 14 $845,833 33 R Dustin Byfuglien 6'3" 247 23 41 9 10 19 4 53 3 0 2 107 8.4 $3,000,000 25 D Cam Barker 6'3" 213 22 31 3 16 19 -4 34 3 0 1 37 8.1 $2,768,587 22 R Troy Brouwer 6'2" 213 23 35 6 10 16 7 34 3 0 0 61 9.8 $675,000 7 D 6'3" 220 23 44 5 9 14 15 45 2 1 0 75 6.7 $3,500,000 55 L Ben Eager 6'2" 220 24 40 8 3 11 3 89 0 0 0 39 20.5 $568,000 46 C Colin Fraser 6'1" 188 23 44 3 8 11 2 42 0 0 0 33 9.1 $500,000 23 D Aaron Johnson 6'1" 211 25 26 3 5 8 18 24 0 0 1 20 15 $600,000 43 D 6'0" 207 24 15 1 6 7 2 6 0 0 0 42 2.4 $900,000 28 R Craig Adams 6'0" 197 31 27 2 4 6 -1 16 1 0 0 30 6.7 $600,000 37 R Adam Burish 6'1" 189 26 28 2 2 4 1 49 0 0 1 37 5.4 $712,500 8 D Matt Walker 6'3" 214 28 32 0 3 3 6 39 0 0 0 38 0 $600,000 5 D Brent Sopel * 6'1" 211 32 23 1 1 2 -4 8 0 0 1 15 6.7 $2,333,333 4 D 6'2" 200 21 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 $643,000

Hammer had 10 points and +7 in Rockford, for those curious. those for Hammer had 10 points and +7 in Rockford, Totals/Averages 6'1" 203.75 24.38 150 266 665 43 5 1423 10.54% $44,187,795 *injured As we’ve said, we don’t hate or love Burish as much as some other Hawks fans. But since his return to the lineup, he’s been skating his ass off, working incredibly hard, drawing penalties, and not taking any either. He’s also +6, though that’s beefed up by a +4 in one game against PHX. # Goalie HT WT AGE GPI Min GAA W L OT SO SA GA Sv% G A PIM Salary 39 6'1" 209 36 24 1393 2.37 13 4 5 1 713 55 0.923 0 2 4 $6,750,000 38 Cristobal Huet 6'1" 205 33 22 1274 2.31 12 7 3 2 600 49 0.918 0 0 0 $5,625,000 Totals/Averages 6'1" 207 34 2667 2.34 25 11 8 3 1313 104 0.920 0 2 4 $12,375,000 TOTAL CAP NUMBER: $57,283,000 CAP SPACE: $274,000* Probable Pairings Probable Lines *space also affected by buyouts and injured players Left Wing Center Right Wing 25 Barker 7 Seabrook 22 Brouwer 10 Sharp 88 Kane 51 Campbell 8 Walker Injury List Duncan Keith- Questionable (Concussion) 43 Wisniewski 4 Hjalmarsson 32 Versteeg 19 Toews 33 Byfuglien Brent Sopel- Out (Talent) 16 Ladd 36 Bolland 24 Havlat 37 Burish 46 Fraser 55 Eager

16 years ago, David Stern sent me to ruin the NHL. I have done every- thing I can think of to drive the core I am so close to completing the task fan away, strip hockey of all that’s Stern charged me with.... great about it, and eliminate any at- tention by the mainstream media...

Tavares-Derby Entrant 18-23-4

believe that they want to resign McD, and Perron is up for an extention. So they’re bad and inflexible. The only big numbers coming off the books for the Blues are Tkachuk and McDonald, and you’d have to The Blues are on pace to lose 485 man-games to injury this season. They’ve al- ready lost 260. # Pos Player Ht WT AGE GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Salary (Cap Hit) 22 R 6' 0" 195 26 45 20 16 36 -23 16 12 0 6 119 16.8 $4,000,000 57 L David Perron 6' 0" 180 20 44 5 25 30 4 28 1 0 0 99 5.1 $918,333 21 C Patrik Berglund 6' 4" 187 20 40 14 16 30 14 12 4 0 0 77 18.2 $1,246,667 7 L Keith Tkachuk 6' 2" 232 36 43 14 16 30 -13 37 10 0 1 109 12.8 $4,000,000 42 R David Backes 6' 3" 216 24 45 16 9 25 -4 121 3 1 0 104 15.4 $2,500,000 20 C 6' 1" 204 24 45 6 11 17 -5 16 3 0 0 79 7.6 $1,280,000 26 R B.J. Crombeen 6' 2" 212 23 44 9 7 16 -5 91 0 1 2 65 13.8 $432,000 18 C Jay McClement 6' 1" 201 25 45 4 9 13 -10 23 0 1 0 68 5.9 $950,000 5 D Barret Jackman 6' 0" 203 27 45 2 11 13 -11 56 0 0 0 53 3.8 $3,625,000 28 D 6' 1" 200 25 36 1 11 12 -3 23 0 0 0 40 2.5 $966,000 74 R T.J. Oshie 5' 11" 170 21 21 5 6 11 6 2 3 0 0 35 14.3 $1,275,000 29 D Jeff Woywitka 6' 2" 217 25 29 0 9 9 -4 34 0 0 0 28 0 $643,000 15 L Brad Winchester 6' 5" 228 27 27 7 2 9 -4 47 4 0 0 39 17.9 $465,000 25 C Yan Stastny 5' 10" 191 26 34 3 4 7 -14 20 0 0 0 30 10 $500,000 4 D 6' 3" 222 29 28 1 5 6 -14 24 1 0 0 49 2 $4,250,000 55 R Cam Janssen 6' 0" 210 24 36 1 3 4 -4 82 0 0 0 16 6.3 $550,000 43 D Mike Weaver 5' 9" 182 30 26 0 4 4 -2 4 0 0 0 15 0 $700,000 77 D Jay McKee 6' 4" 203 31 34 1 1 2 -3 19 0 0 1 20 5 $4,000,000 49 D Steve Wagner 6' 2" 200 24 16 1 1 2 -5 18 0 0 0 11 9.1 $872,500 32 C Chris Porter 6'1" 210 24 6 1 1 2 -1 0 0 0 0 7 14.3 $875,000 13 R Dan Hinote 6' 0" 187 31 26 1 1 2 -5 30 0 0 0 12 8.3 $1,000,000 62 D Tyler Strachan 6’ 3” 205 24 15 0 2 2 2 24 0 0 0 9 0 381,000 23 C Trent Whitfield 5' 11" 209 31 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 $231,000 Totals/Averages 6'1" 204.21 26.03 126 210 -126 789 45 4 1254 10.05% $48,499,499 Crombeen has scored 8 times since being claimed from Dallas. A young, promising, tough winger has no place in Dallas.

# Goalie HT WT AGE GPI Min GAA W L OT SO SA GA Sv% G A PIM Salary 34 Manny Legace 5'10" 200 35 28 1421 3.12 13 9 2 0 661 74 0.888 0 0 0 $2,150,000 50 Chris Mason 6'0" 195 32 20 1045 3.16 4 13 1 1 552 55 0.900 0 0 0 $3,000,000 30 Ben Bishop 6'7" 205 21 5 226 3.19 1 1 1 0 109 12 0.890 0 0 0 $893,333 Totals/Averages 6' 1" 193 27 2650 2.22 22 19 3 5 1319 97 0.926 0 0 4 $6,043,333

** injured TOTAL CAP NUMBER: $55,485,000 CAP SPACE: $1,215,000* Probable Lines Probable Pairings *space also affected by buyouts and injured players Left Wing Center Right Wing 5 Jackman 43 Weaver Injury List 57 Perron 21 Berglund 74 Oshie 28 Colaiacovo 62 Strachan Paul Kariya-Out (Ovaries) Andy McDonald-Out (Ankle) 42 Backes 22 Boyes 15 Winchester 77 McKee 29 Woywitka D.J. King-Out (Shoulder) Yan Stastny-Out (Thumb) 7 Tkachuk 20 Steen 26 Crombeen Roman Polak-Out (Foot) Eric Brewer-Out (Back) 55 Janssen 18 McClement 13 Hinote Manny Legace-Questionable (Lower Body)

...IS THIS THE YEAR?

The Fight Card HAWKS vs. BLUES Fight Stats provided by Hockeyfights.com

GAME FIGHT TIME Bloody Black Bruised Just Analysis Nose Eye Ego Dancing 1-17-09 Eager v. 1st. Sequel doesn’t live up to the first, as is Janssen II 8:10 usually the case. Janssen takes it in a √ decision. 1-17-09 Sharp v. 1st. Sharp goes after McKee for hitting McKee 1:42 Kane, lands a few nice shots, but takes a √ √ few more in his pretty pretty face. Matt McClure weeps uncontrollably. 11-14-08 Eager v. 1st. The last bout of a period that looked like Janssen 14:36 a Saturday night on a payday weekend √ in Muskogee, to quote the great Jim Ross. Eager lands a couple nice lefts. 11-14-08 Byfuglien v. 1st. Buff takes down geriatric, lands a few Tkachuk 11:18 √ √ big shots. Takes it in a KO 11-14-08 Barker v. 1st. Barker’s bi-monthly kerfluffle. Doesn’t Backes 11:07 do it terribly well or badly. Like the rest √ of his game.

What To Watch For: Lots. It’s clear these teams don’t like each other, and the Blues are intent on pounding the Hawks. Fireworks aplenty tonight. Power Play Penalty Kill Team Opp PPG PP% Team OPP PPG PP% Team TS PPGA PK% Team TS PPGA PK% PHI 167 45 27 EDM 204 36 17.6 MIN 155 19 87.7 NYI 204 38 81.4 DET 193 52 26.9 LAK 196 34 17.4 NYR 194 24 87.6 ANA 246 46 81.3 BOS 176 43 24.4 NYI 191 33 17.3 BUF 185 24 87 VAN 219 42 80.8 SJS 208 49 23.6 VAN 206 35 17 CGY 198 28 85.9 CBJ 199 39 80.4 WSH 203 46 23.2 PIT 216 35 16.7 SJS 169 25 85.2 TBL 231 46 80.1 STL 198 44 22.2 COL 192 32 16.7 NSH 212 34 84 DET 190 38 80 ANA 188 41 21.8 FLA 177 29 16.4 LAK 196 33 83.2 STL 201 41 79.6 CHI 201 43 21.4 MTL 212 34 16 BOS 171 29 83 PIT 205 42 79.5 MIN 194 41 21.1 TBL 194 31 16 CHI 188 32 83 WSH 228 48 79 ATL 191 39 20.4 CAR 221 34 15.7 PHI 228 39 82.9 CAR 178 39 78.1 TOR 198 40 20.2 NYR 210 32 15.2 MTL 202 35 82.7 COL 181 40 77.9 BUF 199 39 19.6 DAL 194 29 15 FLA 190 33 82.6 DAL 178 40 77.5 CGY 207 40 19.3 NSH 190 26 13.7 OTT 187 33 82.4 EDM 196 47 76 NJD 161 31 19.2 PHX 197 26 13.2 NJD 178 32 82 TOR 175 46 73.7 OTT 185 32 17.9 CBJ 195 22 11.3 PHX 179 33 81.6 ATL 201 53 73.6 Spotlight

Patrik Berglund

The only one standing amongst the wounded and those ducking for cover. It’s hard to believe, but Patrik Berglund, on the woebegone St. Louis Blues, leads the league in Behind The Net Ratings. Basically, no team benefits more from a player being on the ice, and is hurt worse when he isn’t, than Berglund and the Blues. The Blues are almost four goals better with Berglund on the ice, per 60 minutes. This guy is going to be a thorn in our ass for a decade, especially if Oshie follows in his footsteps. Berglund hasn’t been getting any Rookie of The Year consideration, but he should be. Versteeg has benifitted from playing with a talented supporting cast. Who does Berglund have? Because of the injury to Andy McDonald, Berglund has been vaulted into the #1 center slot way before the Blues had in- tended, but he hasn’t looked out of place. He’s collected 20 points in the 26 games since McDonald went down. At some point, Berglund will fill out his 6’ 4” frame, and then we’ll have a real problem on our hands. But he’s a Blue, so we have to find something to tear down about him. He’s woeful at face-offs, he’s at 37%. That’s almost bad enough to be taking them for the Hawks. So far, Berglund hasn’t done too much damage to The Men of Four Feathers. However, we can’t help fearing that this guy will join the list currently populated by such names as Peter Zezel, Nelson Emerson, Brendan Shanahan, Adam Oates, Darin Kimble, , Pavol Demitra of Blues players we loathe (that list could have gone on for a good 54 pages).

The Committed Indian is printed by Royal Omega Graphics- Elk Grove, IL 847-952-8000 [email protected] KNOW THY ENEMY

Once again, it is our distinct misfortune to grant some space to Sean Gallagher of what he really is: a streaky scorer who will get you about 20 goals a year. St. Louis Gametime to tell us what you need to know about the Blues, and to get The Blues sold high on Stempniak and bought low on Colaiacovo and Steen. in a customary about the Cubs. It’s his way. In the end, I think the Blues will win this trade as Colaiacovo is an offensive guy they’ve needed on the blueline and Steen will probably mirror Stempniak’s So you must’ve done something to ruin your karma to deserve all these inju- performance going forward. ries. Did you spike a toddler? Poison the water supply? Vote for McCain? What? Obviously, the one shining light of this season has been Patrick Berglund. On opening day we printed a headline that said, “God himself can’t keep the How good is this kid going to be? Blues out of the playoffs this year!” Then we burned effigies of every other deity We still wish he had the Flock of Seagulls haircut he busted out on draft day, but in front of the DrinkScotch Center. In retrospect, that was misguided. this kid is going to be a good player for years to come. He seems to be getting And then Sarah Palin dropped the puck before a game here. Record pre-Palin: better every day and is already seeing quality time at full strength and on the pow- 4-2-0. Record post-Palin: 14-21-4. So it’s probably her fault more than ours. er play. A couple years down the road he’ll be one of those players you guys hate.

Going forward, you obviously need to solve the goalie question, as neither Are you guys going to cheat the system again and trade Tkachuk and then Legace or Mason are long-term answers. Is the hilariously-tall Ben Bishop just bring him back for his 75th season in the summer? the future? Or is this something that needs solving? Yes. Absolutely. Someone is going to hear the siren song of a big power forward Goaltending is clearly an issue. Short of adopting a Chicago-style goalie tandem with experience, decide he’s the missing piece to their playoff puzzle, overpay of two guys making $12 million a year, something big is going to have to happen. for his services and then be stunned when he signs a two-year sweetheart deal to Legace will not be re-signed and Mason isn’t consistent enough to be a starter. come back to St. Louis this summer. Drafting a guy won’t help soon enough, so the Blues will be looking to sign or Do us a favor; don’t tip off Boston or the Rangers that he’s not that good trade for a guy between now and next fall. anymore. The Blues have drafted well at forward and at defense, but goal has been a quantity-not-quality situation. Marek Schwarz is about to wash out of profession- We know this season hasn’t been tons of fun, but the impression we get from al hockey. Ben Bishop, while a favorite due to the local angle (he went to high you guys is that Blues fans are quite excited at what the near future may school in St. Louis) hasn’t convinced anyone that he’s an NHL starter yet. The hold. Is that the truth for all of Blues fans? Or a lot of them pissed off about other guys in Peoria, the ECHL and Europe are all at various stages of develop- another lost season? ment and none are considered blue-chippers. No one likes to lose. Well, aside from you Cub fans, anyway. Most of us have the perspective enough to take the silver lining with the giant shitty cloud that has Ok, is Brad Boyes really that clueless in his own end? We don’t like to put been Blues hockey for the last couple years. Starting to see the first signs of the too much stock in +/-, but fucking Christ, -23? rebuild working allows us to believe that it’s all worth it. Now that you mention it, maybe fucking Christ was how we screwed up the But you guys know how it goes: rebuilding plans are not easy and they’re not Blues’ karma. Shoulda known, I guess. very fun. You just hope it’s worth it and that some maniac GM doesn’t fuck it up As for Boyes, I find it hard to get worked up about plus/minus. He does a lot along the way. of his offensive damage on the power play (20 of his 36 points and 12 of his 20 goals), so none of those count as pluses. With all of the injuries and less-than- With the rivalry back to almost full-boil again, what Hawk gets Blues fans’ skilled players getting icetime in St. Louis, scoring on the man-add is a huge bile rising the most? factor as to whether the team wins or loses. I’ll trade the shitacular plus/minus That one might take a few more games to figure out. There’s no one on the level for a clicking power play. of Chelios, Belfour, Roenick, Graham or Probert to really get the fans going. Yet. I’m sure someone will get it fired up, but for now all we really do is laugh at little We know you guys weren’t exactly thrilled with the Stempniak-for-Steen and Patty Kane and his baby tears. Watching that kid cry about Savard getting fired is Colaiacovo deal. Why weren’t you, and how has it worked out? one of the great moments of 2008. Stempniak had become a bit of a fan favorite, so it wasn’t great news that he was traded, but it wasn’t devastating, either. He thrived in the offensive vacuum that has been the Blues’ forward lines the last couple years, but that was more of a success-by-default situation. After all, someone has to score goals, right? Now that there’s some actual talent in the lineup, Stempniak was being exposed for

Hawks-blues: the Last 4

Jan. 17th, 2009: Hawks 2, Blues 1 (OT) Nov. 14th, 2008: Blues 4, Hawks 3 (OT) The Perfect Beard steals the Blues second point, Hawks skip the first period, except to fight, and fall which they had done more than enough to warrant. behind 3-1. Bolland brings them back with two Hawks are outplayed all night, Huet stands on a goals. McDonald scores on PP in OT, then ankle variety of extremities. falls off. An old Norris-style conflict.

Oct. 18th, 2008: Hawks 3, Blues 4 (SO) Mar. 29th, 2008: Hawks 4, Blues 3 Hawks blow 2-goal lead with 10 minutes left, including Hawks storm out to 4-0 lead (even Craig Adams scores McDonald scoring in last minute to tie the game. Kane for fuck’s sake) and then decide to make the Blues feel scores twice for Hawks, but not in shoot-out in Coach better about themselves by letting them have 3 to make Q’s first game. them think they were close. Game ends with Keith punching lots of people in the face. Hockey Sabermetrics CHICAGO Every game, we provide you with the Behind The Net numbers. These are at even strength, 5-on-5. Key: QUALCOMP- A measure of the quality of competition each player faces on the ice. Calculated by averaging +/-/60 for opponents on the ice against player. QUALTEAM- A measure of the quality of teammates each player plays with. Calcu- lated by averaging +/-/60 for teammates on ice with player. TOI/60- Time on ice, per 60 minutes, that player spends on ice at full-strength. GFON/60, GAON/60- Goals for and against team per 60 min. player is on ice +/-ON/60- Team’s Plus/minus, per 60 minutes, while player is on ice. +/-OFF/60- Plus/minus of team while player is off ice, per 60 minutes. RATING- +/-ON/60 subtracted by +/-OFF/60. NAME QUALCOMP QUALTEAM TOI/60 GFON/60 GAON/60 +-ON/60 GFOFF/60 GAOFF/60 +-OFF/60 RATING Aaron Johnson -0.02 -0.15 11.8 4.3 1.37 2.93 2.35 1.92 0.43 2.5 Andrew Ladd 0.09 0.2 12.45 3.72 1.86 1.86 2.58 2.17 0.42 1.45 Duncan Keith 0.07 0.14 18.39 3.5 1.99 1.51 2.73 2.24 0.49 1.02 Martin Havlat 0.03 0.11 13.27 3.5 2.06 1.44 2.65 2.09 0.56 0.88 Dave Bolland 0.1 0.36 12.09 3.5 2.14 1.35 2.68 2.06 0.62 0.74 Kris Versteeg 0.06 -0.2 12.55 3.22 2 1.22 2.81 2.17 0.64 0.58 Troy Brouwer -0.01 -0.22 11.39 2.56 1.35 1.2 3.01 2.16 0.85 0.35 Brent Seabrook 0.08 0.32 16.61 2.87 1.97 0.9 2.91 2.15 0.76 0.14 Matt Walker -0.02 -0.14 13.29 2.68 1.69 0.99 2.84 1.97 0.87 0.12 James Wisniewski 0.04 0.03 15.39 2.34 1.56 0.78 2.85 1.9 0.95 -0.17 Dustin Byfuglien -0.01 0.12 12.01 2.19 1.58 0.61 3.13 2.23 0.89 -0.28 Ben Eager -0.09 -0.23 8.08 2.23 1.48 0.74 3.15 2.1 1.05 -0.31 Colin Fraser -0.09 -0.24 7.8 2.45 1.92 0.52 2.99 2.12 0.88 -0.35 Patrick Kane 0.06 -0.16 13.82 3 2.69 0.31 2.63 1.9 0.72 -0.41 Adam Burish -0.03 -0.1 6.91 2.48 1.86 0.62 3.11 2.07 1.04 -0.42 Brian Campbell 0 -0.16 17.68 2.93 2.39 0.54 2.88 1.88 0.99 -0.45 0.05 0 13.05 3.03 2.61 0.42 2.84 1.87 0.98 -0.56 -0.01 0 13.34 2.76 2.66 0.1 2.96 1.84 1.11 -1.01 Craig Adams -0.16 -0.22 7.66 1.74 1.74 0 3.31 2.27 1.05 -1.05 Brent Sopel -0.09 -0.02 10.89 2.16 3.11 -0.96 3.22 2.25 0.97 -1.93 Cam Barker -0.02 -0.1 13.99 1.94 2.63 -0.69 3.31 1.71 1.59 -2.28

Corsi Rating Penalties Drawn Face-offs Shots attempted for a team vs. how many are Player Face-Offs Taken FO% attempted against while a given player is on vs. Taken the ice, per 60 min. Pretty self-explanatory. A measure of penalties Jonathan Toews 687 52.2 drawn vs. taken, per 60 min. NAME CORSI Colin Fraser 460 47.8 NAME PDRAW/60 PTAKE/60 James Wisniewski 26 Patrick Sharp 527 46.7 Adam Burish 1.9 0.6 Martin Havlat 14.5 Kris Versteeg 75 46.7 Kris Versteeg 1.7 0.9 Dustin Byfuglien 12.1 Dave Bolland 610 44.9 Colin Fraser 1.6 0.7 Andrew Ladd 11.6 Total Rank: 27th 47.5 Patrick Kane 1.6 1 Aaron Johnson 10.9 Dave Bolland 1.5 0.6 Power Play Ratings Penalty Kill Ratings Dave Bolland 10.9 This is a measure of a team’s This measures how many goals a Craig Adams 1.5 0.9 Duncan Keith 10.5 goals-for per 60 minutes of player team gives up per 60 minutes the Troy Brouwer 1.4 0.9 being on the ice on the power play. player is on the ice on the PK. Brent Seabrook 10.3 Patrick Sharp 1.4 1 Player GFON/60 Kris Versteeg 10.2 Player GA/60 Ben Eager 1.3 2.6 Brian Campbell 9.9 Cam Barker 11.21 Matt Walker 4.89 Andrew Ladd 1.1 0.8 Jonathan Toews 9.3 Patrick Sharp 8.45 Dave Bolland 4.9 James Wisniewski 1 0.5 Adam Burish 8.4 Patrick Kane 7.88 Adam Burish 5.49 Dustin Byfuglien 0.9 1.3 Cam Barker 8.4 Dustin Byfuglien 7.77 Brent Seabrook 5.53 Jonathan Toews 0.9 0.7 Troy Brouwer 8.1 Brian Campbell 7.73 Aaron Johnson 5.73 Martin Havlat 0.8 0.6 Patrick Kane 8 Jonathan Toews 7.73 James Wisniewski 5.89 Brian Campbell 0.7 0.3 Ben Eager 6.9 Brent Seabrook 7.07 Duncan Keith 5.99 Brent Sopel 0.5 1 Patrick Sharp 6.7 Duncan Keith 6.81 Brent Sopel 6.43 Aaron Johnson 0.4 2.2 Craig Adams 4.4 Martin Havlat 6.45 Colin Fraser 8.12 Matt Walker 0.4 0.6 Colin Fraser 3 James Wisniewski 6.26 Kris Versteeg 8.14 Duncan Keith 0.2 0.4 Kris Versteeg 6.16 Hockey Sabermetrics St. Louis Every game, we provide you with the Behind The Net numbers. These are at even strength, 5-on-5. Key: QUALCOMP- A measure of the quality of competition each player faces on the ice. Calculated by averaging +/-/60 for opponents on the ice against player. QUALTEAM- A measure of the quality of teammates each player plays with. Calcu- lated by averaging +/-/60 for teammates on ice with player. TOI/60- Time on ice, per 60 minutes, that player spends on ice at full-strength. GFON/60, GAON/60- Goals for and against team per 60 min. player is on ice +/-ON/60- Team’s Plus/minus, per 60 minutes, while player is on ice. +/-OFF/60- Plus/minus of team while player is off ice, per 60 minutes. RATING- +/-ON/60 subtracted by +/-OFF/60. NAME QUALCOMP QUALTEAM TOI/60 GFON/60 GAON/60 +-ON/60 GFOFF/60 GAOFF/60 +-OFF/60 RATING Patrick Berglund -0.04 0.3 12.15 3.64 1.56 2.08 1.98 3.52 -1.55 3.62 T.J. Oshie 0 0.4 12.11 2.83 1.65 1.18 2.15 3.01 -0.86 2.04 David Perron -0.06 0.66 11.75 2.55 1.82 0.73 2.29 3.11 -0.82 1.55 Roman Polak 0.02 -0.18 15.49 2.77 2.58 0.18 2 2.98 -0.98 1.16 Tyson Strachan -0.1 0.18 11.09 2.16 1.8 0.36 2.34 2.81 -0.47 0.83 David Backes 0.01 0.01 12.31 2.83 2.95 -0.11 2.1 2.79 -0.69 0.57 Jeff Woywitka -0.07 -0.05 14.76 1.96 2.26 -0.3 2.46 2.91 -0.45 0.15 Carlo Colaiacovo -0.02 0.14 13.59 2.52 2.9 -0.38 2.44 2.76 -0.33 -0.05 Alex Steen 0.07 -0.03 12.06 2.15 2.6 -0.45 2.67 2.91 -0.24 -0.21 Jay McKee -0.09 0.1 13.23 1.7 2.41 -0.71 2.49 2.96 -0.47 -0.24 Brad Winchester -0.04 0.03 10.47 1.54 2.2 -0.66 2.41 2.81 -0.4 -0.26 Keith Tkachuk 0.01 -0.08 12.74 2.64 3.45 -0.8 2.24 2.7 -0.46 -0.35 B.J. Crombeen 0.05 -0.18 10.83 2.19 2.96 -0.77 2.47 2.84 -0.38 -0.4 Barrett Jackman 0.04 0.03 17.34 2.41 3.22 -0.8 2.23 2.59 -0.36 -0.45 Mike Weaver -0.02 0.08 13.03 1.47 2.4 -0.92 2.57 3.03 -0.45 -0.47 Dan Hinote -0.13 -0.28 8.47 2.18 3.54 -1.36 2.35 2.98 -0.63 -0.73 Steve Wagner -0.02 -0.02 13.55 1.94 3.04 -1.11 2.55 2.79 -0.24 -0.86 Jay McClement 0.01 -0.16 12.07 1.62 2.77 -1.16 2.55 2.85 -0.3 -0.86 Cam Janssen -0.11 -0.13 5.56 2.22 3.81 -1.59 2.42 2.74 -0.31 -1.27 Brad Boyes -0.02 0.08 14.05 2.18 3.97 -1.79 2.36 2.31 0.05 -1.83

Corsi Rating Penalties Drawn Face-offs This measures how many shots are attempted Player Face-Offs Taken FO% for a team vs. how many are attempted against vs. Taken Keith Tkachuk 439 54.0 while a given player is on the ice, per 60 min. Pretty self-explanatory. A measure of penalties drawn vs. taken, per 60 min. Jay McClement 787 53.1 NAME CORSI NAME PDRAW/60 PTAKE/60 Brad Boyes 209 51.2 Keith Tkachuk 7.2 David Perron 2.7 1.1 Alex Steen 192 46.2 David Backes 6.6 Dan Hinote 2.2 1.4 Patrik Berglund 351 37.9 David Perron 3.4 Cam Janssen 1.6 2.2 Total: Rank: 18th 49.9 Brad Boyes 2.5 Patrick Berglund 1.3 0.8 T.J. Oshie 2.4 Brad Winchester 1.3 1.5 Carlo Colaiacovo 1.9 B.J. Crombeen 1.3 1 Alex Steen 1.8 Power Play Ratings Penalty Kill Ratings Yan Stastny 1.1 0.2 This is a measure of a team’s goals This measures how many goals Patrick Berglund 1.3 Keith Tkachuk 1 1.4 for per 60 minutes of player being a team gives up per 60 minutes Tyson Strachan 0.4 on the ice on the power play. the player is on the ice on the Jay McClement 1 0.8 Barrett Jackman -0.1 Player GFON/60 Player GAON/60 T.J. Oshie 0.9 0.2 B.J. Crombeen -0.6 Brad Boyes 9.44 T.J. Oshie 4.11 David Backes 0.9 2 Mike Weaver -0.9 Keith Tkachuk 9.1 Mike Weaver 5.23 Brad Boyes 0.8 0.3 Roman Polak -2.3 Carlo Colaiacovo 8.66 Dan Hinote 6.56 Alex Steen 0.7 0.8 Jeff Woywitka -2.7 Brad Winchester 8.22 Roman Polak 6.77 Tyson Strachan 0.4 0.7 Jay McClement -7.3 Patrik Berglund 8.21 David Backes 7.54 Carlo Colaiacovo 0.4 0.8 Brad Winchester -7.9 David Backes 6.2 Barrett Jackman 7.54 Jay McKee 0.4 0.9 Steve Wagner -12.5 David Perron 6.19 Tyson Strachan 8.38 Steve Wagner 0.3 2.2 Dan Hinote -16.3 Roman Polak 6.03 Jay McClement 8.8 Roman Polak 0.2 0.9 Cam Janssen -18.4 Jeff Woywitka 6 Jay McKee 10.06 Barrett Jackman 0.2 1 Jay McKee -19 Eric Brewer 4.08 Alex Steen 12.25 Referee Stats For The Hawks

Referees 1st NHL Hawks Games Hawks PP’s Hawks Pens/Game Hawks PP/Game Hawks PK/ W L OTL Game PK’s Game 2 Fraser, Kerry 1980 3 14 17 10.3 4.7 5.7 3 0 0 3 Leggo, Mike 1997 3 10 15 8.3 3.3 5.0 2 0 1 4 McCauley, Wes 2003 5 11 14 5.0 2.2 2.8 2 2 0 5 Rooney, Chris 2000 ------6 Marouelli, Dan 1984 3 14 11 8.3 4.7 3.7 1 2 0 7 McCreary, Bill 1984 4 17 15 8.0 4.3 3.8 2 3 0 8 Jackson, Dave 1990 3 14 13 9.0 4.7 4.3 2 1 0 10 Devorski, Paul 1989 2 9 13 11.0 4.5 6.5 1 1 0 11 Sutherland, Kelly 2000 ------12 Koharski, Don 1981 1 6 7 13.0 6.0 7.0 1 0 0 13 O’Halloran, Dan 1995 2 12 10 11.0 6.0 5.0 1 0 1 14 LaRue, Dennis 1991 4 17 16 8.3 4.3 4.0 3 0 1 15 Auger, Stephane 2000 4 17 13 7.5 4.3 3.3 3 0 1 16 Shick, Rob 1986 1 2 2 4.0 2.0 2.0 0 0 1 18 Kimmerly, Greg 1996 5 26 25 10.2 5.2 5.0 3 2 0 20 Peel, Tim 1999 2 13 13 13.0 6.5 6.5 1 1 0 21 VanMassenhoven, Don 1993 2 6 4 5.0 3.0 2.0 1 0 1 23 Watson, Brad 1996 2 7 4 5.5 3.5 2.0 1 0 1 25 Joannette, Marc 1999 2 13 5 9.0 6.5 2.5 1 0 1 26 Martell, Rob 1996 1 3 1 4.0 3.0 1.0 1 0 0 27 Furlatt, Eric 2001 3 14 10 8.0 4.7 3.3 1 1 1 28 Lee, Chris 2001 1 5 4 9.0 5.0 4.0 1 0 0 29 Walsh, Ian 2000 1 1 3 4.0 1.0 3.0 0 1 0 30 Hasenfratz, Mike 2000 3 22 13 11.7 7.3 4.3 0 1 2 32 Kowal, Tom 2000 3 11 7 6.0 3.7 2.3 3 0 0 33 Pollock, Kevin 2000 3 10 12 7.3 3.3 4.0 1 1 1 34 Meier, Brad 1999 3 12 14 8.7 4.0 4.7 3 0 0 35 Warren, Dean 1999 ------36 Morton, Dean 2000 2 16 10 13.0 8.0 5.0 0 1 1 38 St Laurent, Francois 2006 2 14 15 14.5 7.0 7.5 1 0 1 39 Dwyer, Gord 2003 3 16 15 10.3 5.3 5.0 2 0 1 40 Kozari, Steve 2006 3 18 12 10.0 6.0 4.0 2 1 0 42 O’Rourke, Dan 1999 2 11 13 12.0 5.5 6.5 1 0 1 43 Pochmara, Brian 2006 1 4 7 11.0 4.0 7.0 1 0 0 45 St. Pierre, Justin 2003 4 19 15 8.5 4.8 3.8 2 0 2

NHL LEADERS Goals Points GAA SV%

Player Team G Player Team P Player Team GAA Player Team SV% 1 A. Ovechkin WAS 31 1 Evgeni Malkin PIT 69 1 Steve Mason CBJ 1.91 1 Tim Thomas BOS .934 2 PHI 30 2 Sidney Crosby PIT 59 2 Tim Thomas BOS 2.06 2 Steve Mason BOS .932 3 Tomas Vanek BUF 28 3 A. Ovechkin WAS 59 3 M. Fernandez BOS 2.07 3 Craig Anderson FLA .930 4 Zach Parise NJ 27 4 Ryan Getzlaf ANA 56 4 Jonas Hiller ANA 2.14 4 Jonas Hiller ANA .929 5 P. Marleau SJ 24 5 Marc Savard BOS 55 5 N. Backstrom MIN 2.15 5 N. Backstrom MIN .928 11 Patrick Sharp CHI 21 30 Patrick Kane CHI 42 9 Cristobal Huet CHI 2.31 7 N. Khabibulin CHI .923 Block Party

Once again, Chris Block joins us to give us the lowdown on what’s up with In cased you missed it, Hjalmarsson was recalled yesterday after that pitiful perfor- the Rockford Icehogs. mance from Johnson, Barker, Campbell, and Wisniewski the other night. I can’t tell you he’ll be much better, but he certainly can’t do any worse. Made the Blackhawks I was asked a few weeks ago by your estimable editor to provide some in- out of camp in part because he was more reliable defensively than Barker in exhibi- sight in regards to the Chicago Blackhawks minor league affiliate Rockford IceHogs, tion play, and because couldn’t find a calculator on July 1st. Colton Orr its season thus far, and the prospects who toil there. Being that we’ve just past the ended his experience early after a hard check into the boards along the Hawks’ bench halfway point of the AHL season and the league’s own All-Star game is a mere five at Madison Square Garden. I can tell you the Hawks love Hjalmarsson and see him days in front of us (Monday in Worcester, Mass.), I thought now would be a good time contributing in the near future. The depth in the system though should prevent them to tackle the subject. Instead of boring you with the plot that in the Rockford IceHogs’ from making the mistake they did with Barker. Hjalmarsson needs a year at the lower- second AHL season, I thought we’d simply address the top prospects one-by-one. level to log a ton of minutes and get to the point where he’s dominating games before he’s asked to step into the Hawks’ lineup permanently. [C] (2004 – 7th round, 196th overall) Not nearly as impressive as his numbers or AHL All-Star status may indicate. Jordan Hendry [D] (collegiate free agent March 18, 2006) Kontiola has just 3 goals in his last 24 games and 2 assists in the last 12. He skates His season ended last spring after one playoff game with Rockford in a freak accident void of inspiration some nights and all-out others. Was cut from September’s camp that saw Hendry fall backwards onto the ice and crack his skull open. Didn’t show after one in-game look reportedly due to a poor work ethic. Dropped to the second the confidence with the puck or in the corners and was returned here in late October line with Mike Radja and Peter MacArthur for much of the last two months in an at- after eight games with the Hawks. There’s really nothing good or bad to say about tempt to spread the Hogs’ scoring amongst a few lines. It hasn’t worked. He hates it Hendry’s thirty-one games in Rockford this year. He’s decent but not much better in Rockford and his recent production shows it. than Rockford contracted defenseman Andrew Archer. Hendry is a reliable penalty-killer however. Unless a rash of injuries hit the Jack Skille [RW] (2005 – 1st round, 7th overall) blue line on Madison, I don’t think we’ll be seeing Hendry again. He’s fast; he’s throwing his body around more than ever and actually putting his body into harm’s way for the sake of scoring Jimmy Sharrow [D] (trade w/Vancouver for conditional draft chances. What Skille hasn’t done is vary his offense. He’s still pick December 10, 2008) has his patented skate over the blue line, dip the right shoulder One of the ‘Hogs best blue liners since coming over last month. and throw a sixty-foot shot on net. That being said, I don’t know He’s a big guy (6-2) who skates well forward and is confident, that keeping him in Rockford will make him any better. It may be sometimes too confident, with the puck. I guess he’s biggest time to give him another chance. Currently out with an ‘upper- drawback is that he sometimes doesn’t skate within his own body’ injury. limitations.

Pascal Pelletier [LW] (trade w/Boston for Martin St. Pierre Adam Pineault [RW] (trade w/Columbus for Michael July 24, 2008) Blunden January 10, 2009) A great AHL player. We’re five games and one period into the Pineault experience and so far it’s not looking good. Pineault picked up his first point Evan Brophey [C] (2005 – 3rd round, 67th overall) last night against the Iowa Chops. Body-type and skating-wise A breakthrough season. Moved up to the top line with Jack Skille he reminds me of Troy Brouwer two years ago. In case that and Pascal Pelletier in December, Brophey has thrived in the Chris Block reference doesn’t strike you, that’s not good. Pineault’s a year role. He’s not great at anything, and his numbers won’t wow you younger than Brouwer and two years behind skill-wise. Finesse (9g,13a,43gp), but he is a solid all-around forward. Maybe he is his biggest adversary. He’s slow and lumbering and can’t play gets a good look in next year’s training camp. with anyone but the top two lines. Rockford needed scoring and ultimately these deals aren’t made with the affiliate in mind, but for what makes the IceHogs better right Jake Dowell [C] (2004 – 5th round, 140th overall) now; maybe they can re-trade. Head coach Bill Peters loves to use Dowell as his checking center and Dowell has done much better since moving back there from the wing, where he played a lot early Tim Brent [C] (trade w/Pittsburgh for Danny Richmond July 17, 2008) this season. He’s not any different from watch we saw in Chicago last year. Rockford’s captain has missed the last ten games with a concussion. He’s a nice minor-leaguer. Enough said. Bryan Bickell [G] (2004 – 2nd round, 41st overall) Currently sidelined through the rest of the month with a broken thumb. His condition- Nathan Davis [C/W] (2005 – 4th round, 113th overall) ing appears to have improved and he’s brought the skating up a notch as well. But Penciled in as a two-year project, Davis has dressed in 40 of the team’s 44 games as a he was outplayed early on and passed on the depth chart by veteran Rob Klinkham- fourth-liner. Most of which he’s served as the centerman. He’s quick but not shifty. mer, and has been stuck underneath him since. He’s a better prospect than Michael Davis is easily checked because he skates in a straight-line with the puck and waits Blunden was at this point. Bickell will drop the mitts, but it’s not an area he excels in. too long to dish it. Still, there’s talent there and next season he’ll be asked to do much He was a scorer in junior with Ottawa and had a fantastic playoff with Windsor before more. With a strong off season, I could see him starting next season as Igor Makarov’s turning pro but he’s found the net just 4 times in 30 games this season. He’s a third- center, should Makarov decide to leave home. line winger at best if he’s given the chance to improve. Dan Bertram [RW] (2005 – 2nd round, 54th overall) Antti Niemi [G] (free agent May 5, 2008) Rockford lists him at 5’11”. He’s not a hair above 5’10” and that’s what you immedi- Scotty Bowman’s favorite Blackhawk netminder through November hit a bad streak ately notice about him. Tough kid who’s always got the legs moving. He’s dropped which really began with a shaky start at AllState Arena on December 6th. He’s never the gloves with much bigger players as well. If this has you thinking Adam Burish recovered from that one. There’s been the occasional good start, but he hasn’t been you’re not too far off. able to put a string together. Niemi, 25, was pulled for the second time this month (4 starts) last night in Des Moines after giving up four goals on ten shots in the second period. Perhaps he’s homesick? This is the first time he’s played away from his homeland . He speaks English amazingly well though.

Corey Crawford [G] (2003 – 2nd round, 52nd overall) Much like Cristobal Huet, Crawford is a positional goalie who thrives at making the initial save. Rebounds have been a nemesis throughout his pro career and he’s improved in that area. While there numbers were similar through the first two months, Niemi was decidedly the better goalie. However, Crawford has since completely turned the tables in that respect.

Niklas Hjalmarsson [D] (2005 – 4th round, 108th overall) The Making of The Chicago Blackhawks

YEAR DRAFT TRADE FREE AGENT 2008-2009 Brian Campbell (BUF 6th round 1997 Cristobal Huet (LA 7th round 2001) Matt Walker (STL 3rd round 1998) Aaron Johnson (CLB 3rd round 2001) 2007-2008 Patrick Kane (1st round) Ben Eager (PHO 1st round 2002) from Brent Sopel (VAN 6th round 1995) PHI for (FA PHI 2000) Craig Adams (HAR 9th round 1996) from CAR for future considerations. Andrew Ladd (CAR 1st round 2004) from CAR for Tuomo Ruutu (CHI 1st round 2001) 2006-2007 Jonathan Toews (1st round) Martin Havlat (OTT 1st round 1999) from OTT and Bryan Smolinski (BOS 1st round 1990) for Tom Preissing (FA SJ 2003), Josh Hennessy (SJ 2nd round 2003) and Michael Barinka (CHI 2nd round 2003) Kris Versteeg (BOS 5th round 2004) from BOS for Brandon Bochenski (OTT 7th round 2001) 2005-2006 Niklas Hjalmarsson (4th round) Patrick Sharp (PHI 3rd round 2001) Nikolai Khabibulin (WIN 9th round from PHI for Matt Ellison (CHI 4th 1992) round 2002) and CHI 3rd round pick 2006 2004-2005 Cam Barker (1st round) Dave Bolland (2nd round) Troy Brouwer (7th round) 2003-2004 Brent Seabrook (1st round) Colin Fraser (PHI 3rd round 2003), Dustin Byfuglien (8th round) Jim Vandermeer (PHI FA 2000) and 2004 2nd round pick from PHI for Alex Zhamnov and 2004 4th round pick (WIN 4th round 1990) 2002-2003 Duncan Keith (2nd round) James Wisniewski (5th round) Adam Burish (9th round) info in part provided by hockeyreference.com GM HISTORY COACHES Dale Tallon (2005-Present) Head Coach-Joel Quenneville Bob Pulford (Too Fucking Long, Too Many Fuck- Assistant Coach-John Torchetti ing Times) Assistant Coach-Mike Haviland Mike Smith (2001-2004) Assistant Coach- Marc Bergevin Bob Murray (1999-2000) Goaltending Coach-Stephane Waite The Making of The St. Louis Blues

YEAR DRAFT TRADE FREE AGENT 2008-2009 Alex Steen (TOR 1st round 2002) and Chris Mason (NJ 5th round 1995) Carlo Colaiacovo (TOR 1st round BJ Crombeen (DAL 2nd round 2003) 2001) from TOR for Brad Winchester (EDM 2nd round (STL 5th round 2003) 2000) Tyson Strachan (CAR 5th round 2003) 2007-2008 David Perron (1st round) Andy McDonald (ANA Undrafted Paul Kariya (fag) (ANA 1st round FA 2000) from ANA for 1993) (NYR 2nd round 1990) and Michal Mike Weaver (Waivers) Birner Keith Tkachuk (WIN 1st round 1990) from ATL for 2008 1st round pick Cam Janssen (NJ 4th round 2002) from NJ for Bryce Salvador (TB 6th round 1994) 2006-2007 Patrick Berglund (1st round) Brad Boyes (TOR 1st round 2000) from Dan Hinote (COL 7th round 1996) BOS for Dennis Wideman (BUF 8th Jay McKee (BUF 1st round 1994) round 2002) Manny Legace (HAR 8th round 1993) Yan Stastny from BOS for 2007 5th Steve Wagner (Undrafted FA) round pick 2005-2006 T.J. Oshie (1st round) Eric Brewer (NYI 1st 1997), Jeff Trent Whitfield (BOS 4th round 1996) Woywitka (PHI 1st round 2001), and Doug Lynch (EDM 2nd round 2001) from EDM for Chris Pronger (HAR 1st round 1993) 2004-2005 Roman Polak (6th round) 2003-2004 David Backes (2nd round)

2002-2003 D.J. King (6th round) 2001-2002 Jay McClement (2nd round) 1999-2000 Barret Jackman (1st round

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COACHES GM HISTORY Head Coach: Andy Murray 2006-Present: John Davidson Asst. Coach: Ray Bennett 1998-2006: Larry Pleau Asst. Coach: Brad Shaw Goaltending Coach: Rick Wamsley The Hawks Record When...

Playing at home...... 14-3-5 Allowing a short-handed goal...... 1-1-1 Eddie O tells crew to “stop it right here!”.... 22-11-8 Playing on road...... 11-8-3 Taking 30 or more shots...... 19-8-5 Eddie O tells us D have the forwards and forwards have the D Scoring first...... 15-3-3 Taking less than 30 shots..... 6-3-1 during 4-on-4...... 22-11-8 Opponent scores first...... 10-8-5 Allowing 30 shots or more...... 11-6-5 We fantasize about shooting Eddie O.... 22-11-8 Shoot the puck bimbo scores...... 4-1-1 Allowing 30 shots or less...... 14-5-3 We’re ecstatic Pat Foley is back...... 23-8-8 Shoot the puck bimbo doesn’t score...... 10-1-4 100 Level doesn’t cheer for anthem. 14-2-5 Ice-girls wear skirts...... 6-1-3 Shoot the puck bimbo blows editors of Commited Indian..... 0-0-0 1st of a back-to-back...... 2-3-3 Ice-girls wear pants...... 3-1-0 ANYONE blows editors of Committed Indian ...... 0-1-0 2nd of a back-to-back..... 6-2-0 ice-girls wear shorts.... 5-1-2 Playing on a Monday...... 1-2-1 Opponent played night before.... 6-1-1 Ice-girls wear hideous pink outfit...... 1-0-0 Playing on a Tuesday...... 4-1-0 Seabrook gets a flat-footed penalty.... 8-2-4 Leading after 2 periods...... 20-1-3 Playing on a Wednesday...... 5-0-2 Burish takes a penalty...... 4-3-2 Losing after 2 periods...... 1-7-2 Playing on a Thursday...... 0-2-0 Keith takes a penalty...... 5-1-2 Tied after 2 periods...... 4-3-3 Playing on a Friday...... 4-2-2 Sharp takes a penalty...... 9-2-2 In overtime...... 3-3 Playing on a Saturday...... 4-3-3 Toews takes a penalty..... 6-2-2 In shootout...... 2-5 Playing on a Sunday...... 7-1-0 Havlat takes a penalty.... 5-1-0 Cam Barker plays...... 18-7-5 Savard changes lines during game... 1-2-1 Sopel takes a penalty...... 3-2-1 Cam Barker is in Rockford due to GM incompetence..... 3-2-3 Coach Q keeps lines as they are..... 24-9-7 Sopel looks 6 steps slow...... 7-5-5 Lacking a #2 center...... 25-11-8 Are out-muscled by opponent.... 8-8-4 51 Phantom blows a coverage...... 16-9-7 In 1-goal games..... 6-4-8 Outshoot opponent...... 17-6-3 Toews is trying too hard...... 3-7-2 In 2-goal games...... 6-3-0 Are outshot by opponenet.... 8-5-5 At least 1 fight in 300 Level... 2-1-3 In 3-goal games...... 6-3-0 Havlat shies from contact...... 16-6-6 No fights in 300 Level..... 12-2-2 In 4+ goal games...... 6-1-0 Patrick Kane scores...... 8-3-2 Playing Eastern Conference..... 4-2-2 Scoring 3+ goals..... 23-2-4 Jonathan Toews scores...... 5-0-4 Playing Western Conference..... 21-9-6 Scoring less than 3 goals...... 2-9-4 Martin Havlat scores...... 9-2-1 Playing Central Division...... 4-3-5 PA plays Ministry...... 0-0-0 Patrick Sharp scores...... 14-2-2 Playing Northwest Division.... 10-3-0 PA plays Modern Cock-Rock..... 13-3-5 Dustin Byfuglien scores...... 6-0-1 Playing Pacific Division 7-3-1 PA plays Classic Cock-Rock...... 9-2-5 Dustin Byfuglien turns down a hit...... 21-9-6 Playing Atlantic Division 1-1-1 PA plays P.J. Harvey...... 0-0-0 Andrew Ladd scores...... 7-0-1 Playing NASCAR Division 0-1-0 Fraser fights...... 7-2-1 Dave Bolland scores...... 6-0-1 Playing Northeast Division 3-0-1 Burish fights...... 4-1-0 Adam Burish scores...... 1-1-0, and totally ruins that joke Playing in October.... 4-3-3 Seabrook fights..... 0-0-0 51 Phantom scores...... 3-2-1 Playing in November.... 6-3-3 Barker fights...... 0-0-2 Duncan Keith scores...... 2-3-0 Playing in December...... 10-1-1 Buff fights...... 0-0-2 Brent Seabrook scores...... 4-0-1 Playing in January..... 5-4-1 Sharp fights...... 1-0-0 VerStud scores.... 8-3-1 Playing in February..... 0-0-0 Eager fights...... 9-0-1 Troy Brouwer scores.... 5-0-0 Playing in March...... 0-0-0 On Comcast...... 19-5-5 Scoring a Power Play goal...... 19-4-7 Playing in April...... 0-0-0 On WGN...... 6-3-3 Not scoring a Power Play goal... 6-7-1 UC plays really stupid goal song..... 14-1-5 On Vs...... 0-2-0 Allowing a Power Play goal...... 9-8-8 Huet’s five-hole open like Lindsay Lohan’s..... 2-5-2 On NBC.... 0-1-0 Not Allowing a Power Play goal...... 16-3-0 Getting obliterated on face-offs...... 9-8-4 Judd Sirott swears a lot off-air 25-11-8 Scoring a short-handed goal...... 3-1-0 Are even close on face-offs..... 16-3-4 Editor of Committed Indian bleeds on programs...... 1-0-0

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