$3 A Lower Plateau Is What We’re Above, If You Diss Us We Won’t Even Think Of $3 The Committed Indian The REal Fan’s Program secondcityhockey.com January 11th, 2009 [email protected] MAYBE THEY SHOULD USE THE TREES Worst performance of the year? It Sharp really belongs on a wing. It’s not hard to figure out what’s would have to be in the team photo. The The Hawks relied on their third- been plaguing Nashville this year. Like the Hawks never bothered to show up last night, line to win games for six weeks, and luckily, kid in high school who loved Dungeons and and got exactly what they deserved. That Havlat-Bolland-Ladd were happy to oblige. Dragons, they just can’t score. Their next- would be nothing. We find ourselves in the But much like cold November rain, that won’t to-last in the league in goals, and their power second two-game losing streak of the month. last forever. The Hawks need their top two play hasn’t been any good either. The Preds Here we thought this season was all candy, lines to get going consistently, and at the have lost a wealth of talent the past few years good whiskey, and long winning streaks. same time . Perhaps Sharp to wing, and seeing via free agency, or trades, or -- as in the case Sigh. There’s nothing good to say about last if Kontiola answers the #2 center problem in- of -- odd reverse Red night’s effort. The West Side Hockey Club house, would be the way to that. October defections. They haven’t recovered. were out-skated, out-worked, out-thought, Takin’ Our Punk-Ass Against The Preds have always been average in their and didn’t seem to give much of a shit about Nashville own zone, partly due to their Phoenix Suns- it. style of play. Thanks to their dramatic drop in Tonight, the Hawks get a second We sincerely hope the Hawks aren’t goals scored, you know exactly why they find look at the middling bunch known as the just trying to cruise into the All-Star Break in themselves at the bottom of the conference. . We were certainly worried third gear. There’s a nasty-looking eight- that the Preds emotional win over Pittsburgh All Right Harry, That’s Enough game road trip waiting on the other side of on Thursday -- where they went down 3-0 Honestly, it’s time for the Hawks to that break, and if the Hawks are middling but stormed back to win 5-3 -- would be a stop struggling against the Preds. They play before it, a short funk could turn into a seri- spur in their ass to get their season going. It an open, stretched style that should suit the ous funk after it. The Hawks have separated certainly looked so last night. Hawks. They’re not bigger or stronger, and, themselves from the muck around the eighth- was brilliant when he relieved Ellis against in fact, the Hawks should up the physical seed, but an extended run of idiocy would the Pens, and he wasn’t much worse yester- quotient tonight to get themselves going. But land them right back in it, and have us reach- day. We should probably count on seeing mostly, they should actually care, which they ing for the Pepto. Or Jim Beam. Peter-picked-a-Pekka-Rinne again tonight didn’t seem to last night. The Hawks have five In addition, tonight would be a considering how good he’s been lately, and of the next six at home, where they’ve been good time to start winning games in our own also Ellis’s mediocrity and less than flattering dominant. It’s vital that they put points in the division. The Hawks record of 2-3-5 -- and comments about coach Barry Trotz pulling bank during this time before that post-All- one of those wins in the skills-competition him (more on that inside). Star Break trip hits, as that one could be ugly. -- in the Central is frankly unacceptable. -Kilroy The Hawks have 14 games left against their friends within the division, and it would be- hoove them to start taking points off of them. Coach Q Turns And Faces The Strain You’ve probably noticed the last two games that has found Denis Savard’s line-shuffling roulette machine. We thought against Colorado Q’s constant matching-up threw the Hawks out of rhythm, leading to a tepid performance. There are times to try and get the lines out against the opposition you want, and then there are times when you’re simply the better team and you make your opponent adjust to you. Thurs- day in Colorado was one of the latter, in our humble opinion. He was at it again last night, but the Hawks needed the jolt. The first move we’ve seen is Sharp goes up with Kane and Toews, and we’re curious if Q isn’t starting to form the opinion that Sharp isn’t really a center. A bit early for that yet, but if it continues much longer, you wonder if it isn’t time to give Kontiola a call-up and see what he can do for a real NHL coach. Petri has nothing left to prove at the AHL-level. He’s averaged a -a-game for a season and a half now. He could hardly be worse at face-offs, and “Have you seen my baseball?” MUSINGS FROM THE EDITOR

-There’s Something Fishy In : First, let me say that yes, I review this. Let’s see: A league desperate to amp scoring up gets am one of those conspiracy types, who thinks the reason I’m stuck the final call on whether a contreversial should count or not. in traffic is because there’s a secret organization that unleashes a What do you think is going to happen? Isn’t it odd that the ref him- fleet of cars to get in my way every time I leave the house (just self doesn’t get a second look, like in the NFL? He just gets dicated because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not to. “We’ll decide up here, don’t worry your pretty out to get you). That being said, I think there’s little head, Kerry.” The appearance is not clean. I something goofy about video replays going back to don’t think it’s impossible to get a TV between the the home office in Toronto. boxes for the ref to look at. Let’s take Thursday night, for example, and It’s not so hard to imagine. Bettman is David Ryan Smyth’s first period goal. Part of the problem Stern’s disciple. Stern relaxed traveling violations, is this ridiculous rule on kicking the puck into the opened up zone defenses, and, oh yeah, FIXES THE net with a distinct kicking motion. That’s beyond GAMES THROUGH THE REFS, all in an effort to silly. If a player turns his foot to open up the side to make games exciting and improve scoring. You think direct the puck, that’s the same as kicking it. It’s di- it’s beyond Bettman? Well, he’s probably too dumb, recting the puck with your foot. You’ve seen count- which is why I’ve figured out his little ruse. Super- less goals counted because of that. But Smyth’s was Sam Fels genius, I am. even worse. He moved his foot forward, and his -Once again on Thursday, I was amazed at how in- toe came off the ice. In my world, that’s kicking the puck. What credibly crappy an NHL ice-surface was. The rink at the Pepsi Cen- does he have to do? Drop it from his hand and punt it? Yell, “Take ter in Denver was a cubist interpretation of anarchy. I’m not sure that you puck bastard!!!”, as he kicks it? Smyth argued that he was the puck ever stayed flat for five seconds, like a 12 year old boy off-balance and wasn’t kicking at the puck. We have to read minds with an SI Swimsuit Issue. I can forgive bad surfaces in Phoenix now? I don’t give a fuck if he was thinking about cupcakes or do- or Miami. But Denver? For a league that so desperately wants to ing his wife from behind tonight. He moved his foot, foot hit puck, jump up the excitement, it seems to take the condition of its ice less puck goes in net. That’s a kick-in. than seriously. This is something the league must address. Fuck, The real rub is that they have to go to the NHL offices in even redid its playing surface. NHL STANDINGS

Eastern Conference Western Conference

W L OTL PTS GF GA HOME AWAY W L OTL PTS GF GA HOME AWAY 1 Boston 31 7 4 66 154 94 16-3-1 15-4-3 1 San Jose 31 5 5 67 143 98 19-0-2 12-5-3 2 Washington 27 13 3 57 139 125 18-2-1 9-11-2 2 Dickwads 29 7 5 63 153 113 16-3-2 13-4-3 3 Philadelphia 23 10 9 55 140 124 14-4-3 9-6-6 3 25 12 4 54 130 121 15-4-3 10-8-1 4 25 10 6 56 132 109 14-4-4 11-6-2 4 HAWKS 22 10 7 51 140 102 12-2-4 10-8-3 5 NY Rangers 25 15 4 54 118 117 14-8-2 11-7-2 5 22 17 5 49 127 120 11-8-2 11-9-3 6 New Jersey 23 14 3 49 119 105 13-8-1 10-6-2 6 Anaheim 21 17 5 47 122 121 12-9-3 9-8-2 7 Buffalo 21 16 5 47 120 117 12-9-2 9-7-3 7 Phoenix 21 17 5 47 106 120 15-6-2 6-11-3 8 Carolina 21 17 5 47 111 127 12-9-1 9-8-4 8 Colorado 22 19 1 45 113 120 13-8-0 9-11-1 9 Florida 20 16 6 46 120 119 10-5-3 10-11-3 9 Columbus 20 18 4 44 111 114 12-6-1 8-12-3 10 Pittsburgh 20 19 4 44 130 135 9-9-2 11-10-2 10 20 18 3 43 100 94 11-7-3 9-11-0 11 Toronto 16 20 6 38 124 152 8-8-4 8-12-2 11 19 18 3 41 111 122 8-8-3 11-10-0 12 Tampa Bay 12 19 10 34 101 127 4-7-7 8-12-3 12 Nashville 19 19 3 41 103 118 12-7-1 7-12-2 13 Atlanta 14 24 5 33 124 157 7-12-2 7-12-3 13 Los Angeles 17 17 6 40 102 109 12-8-6 5-9-0 14 Ottawa 13 21 6 32 93 119 9-7-3 4-14-3 14 17 17 6 40 112 136 9-6-3 8-11-3 15 NY Islanders 12 26 4 28 109 154 7-9-2 5-17-2 15 St. Louis 16 21 3 35 118 136 10-9-2 6-12-1

TOP 10 LIST PUCK DROP Top 10 Things You’ll Overhear At A Nashville Predators Steve Sullivan, Water- bug, Nashville: You have Game to wonder how close Sul- 10. “That Eee-rat sure got a real pretty mouth.” livan was to retiring. He’s 9. “What’s the Vols score?” been out for two calendar 8. “If this kid next to me blows his train whistle again, I’m going to years with a back injury, and we sort of wish he’s shove it up his dad’s ass.” waited two more games 7. “Good seats still available.” to come back, because 6. “What you mean I can’t bring my moonshine in here?” he’s been torching us ever 5. “Who we playin’ tonight? Calgary? Where that, up near Putnam since he left us. Oh, in case you’re wonder- County?” ing, those draft picks the Hawks got for Sully, a consistent 25+ goal-scorer, none of them are 4. “...and Tootoo misses the open net!” in the organization. Another glittering chapter 3. “I think Kerry Collins just ran off with the beer vendor’s tray.” in Hawk history. Anyway, it’s good to see 2. “...Tootoo misse again! And now he appears distracted by some- Sully back, who’s one of the good guys on thing shiny in the crowd!” Nashville. We wish him the best, at least after 1. “This is the Country-Music Capital, can’t we do better than a Tim tonight. Fucking McGraw song after we score?” Blackhawks 22-10-7

For $7M, Phantom, you don’t get to take a night off. Bring it tonight, sir.

# Pos Player Ht WT AGE GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Salary 88 R 5'10" 187 19 37 16 26 42 2 26 8 0 2 114 14 $3,725,000 10 L The Sharp-Shooter 6'1" 197 26 39 20 14 34 1 32 7 0 4 121 16.5 $3,900,000 32 L VerStud 5'10" 180 22 38 13 20 33 14 43 4 2 2 71 18.3 $491,667 24 R Martin Havlat 6'2" 217 27 39 11 21 32 15 14 4 0 1 114 9.6 $6,000,000 19 C Marvel 6'2" 209 20 39 11 21 32 5 27 3 0 2 91 12.1 $2,800,000 51 D 51 Phantom 6'0" 188 29 39 7 22 29 7 6 4 0 1 57 12.3 $7,142,875 16 L 6'2" 198 22 39 8 17 25 16 16 0 0 0 91 8.8 $1,550,000 36 C Dave Bolland 6'0" 188 22 39 7 16 23 11 18 0 1 1 54 13 $845,833 2 D 6'1" 194 25 39 5 18 23 21 20 1 1 1 81 6.2 $1,475,000 33 R 6'3" 247 23 36 8 9 17 3 51 2 0 2 99 8.1 $3,000,000 25 D Cam Barker 6'3" 213 22 26 3 14 17 -4 15 3 0 1 32 9.4 $2,768,587 22 R 6'2" 213 23 33 5 10 15 7 34 2 0 0 56 8.9 $675,000 46 C Colin Fraser 6'1" 188 23 39 3 8 11 4 42 0 0 0 28 10.7 $500,000 7 D 6'3" 220 23 39 4 7 11 12 39 1 1 0 61 6.6 $600,000 55 L 6'2" 220 24 35 8 2 10 2 76 0 0 0 35 22.9 $568,000 23 D Aaron Johnson 6'1" 211 25 23 3 4 7 17 14 0 0 1 17 17.6 $3,500,000 43 D James Wisniewski 6'0" 207 24 10 0 6 6 1 4 0 0 0 29 0 $900,000 28 R Craig Adams 6'0" 197 31 24 2 4 6 0 14 1 0 0 25 8 $600,000 37 R Adam Burish 6'1" 189 25 23 2 2 4 0 49 0 0 1 31 6.5 $712,500 8 D Matt Walker 6'3" 214 28 27 0 2 2 5 37 0 0 0 33 0 $600,000 5 D 6'1" 211 31 23 1 1 2 -4 8 0 0 1 15 6.7 $2,333,333 Totals/Averages 6'1" 203.75 24.17 138 244 594 40 5 1269 10.87% $44,119,795 It’s been hard not to notice Wiz since his return. He’s been as active as we’ve seen, constantly crashing *injured down low and pushing the play. Sure, it’s hair-on-fire hockey, but it’s been fun to wwatch so far.

# Goalie HT WT AGE GPI Min GAA W L OT SO SA GA Sv% G A PIM Salary 39 Nikolai Khabibulin 6'1" 209 35 21 1214 2.37 12 3 4 1 639 48 0.925 0 2 4 $6,750,000 38 6'1" 205 33 20 1152 2.45 10 7 3 2 549 47 0.914 0 0 0 $5,625,000 Totals/Averages 6'1" 207 34 41 2366 2.41 22 10 7 3 1188 95 0.920 0 2 4 $12,375,000 TOTAL CAP NUMBER: $57,283,000 CAP SPACE: $274,000*

When Adam Burish is your dynamic offensive force in a game, you are almost certainly going to lose. Burish is your dynamic offensive force in a game, you are almost certainly going When Adam more. Corsi. Can’t ask for and a plus in is +5 since his return, But Burish it was last night. So Probable Pairings Probable Lines *space also affected by buyouts and injured players Left Wing Center Right Wing 51 Campbell 8 Walker 22 Brouwer 19 Toews 88 Kane 2 Keith 7 Seabrook Injury List 32 Versteeg 10 Sharp 33 Byfuglien 43 Wisniewski 25 Barker 16 Ladd 36 Bolland 24 Havlat 22 Brouwer 46 Fraser 28 Adams

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... NAShville Pussy 19-19-3

As you may have heard on the broadcast last night, Trotz has not been enamored with Legwand’s play, punting him out of the middle and on to Arnott’s wing. Can’t tell you how

thrilled we are that it appeared to light a spark for this ugmo just in time to face us.

this season offensively. He hasn’t even been a good agitator th is season. Just a tool. Ha. We heard all the rumblings before season on how this t ool would break through # Pos Player Ht WT AGE GP G A P +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Salary 71 R J.P. Dumont 6' 1" 219 30 41 7 26 33 1 12 1 0 2 92 7.6 $4,000,000 6 D 6' 4" 230 23 41 13 17 30 7 45 5 1 3 129 10.1 $4,500,000 10 R Martin Erat 6' 0" 203 27 38 10 17 27 -4 32 2 0 1 73 13.7 $4,500,000 19 C 6' 5" 220 34 38 15 11 26 1 37 5 0 2 111 13.5 $4,500,000 20 D 6' 1" 194 23 41 4 19 23 -4 36 1 0 2 78 5.1 $3,500,000 11 C 6' 2" 202 28 41 9 12 21 -5 24 1 2 1 92 9.8 $4,500,000 29 R Joel Ward 6' 1" 220 28 38 5 8 13 3 23 1 1 1 49 10.2 $500,000 14 C Radek Bonk 6' 2" 210 33 39 3 9 12 -4 22 2 0 0 58 5.2 $1,475,000 2 D 6' 1" 203 26 41 2 10 12 -7 45 0 1 1 60 3.3 $2,250,000 38 C Vernon Fiddler 5' 11" 201 28 37 6 3 9 -7 6 0 1 2 59 10.2 $850,000 12 C Scott Nichol* 5' 9" 178 34 27 3 6 9 2 28 0 0 0 26 11.5 $750,000 5 D Greg Zanon 5' 11" 201 28 41 3 6 9 5 24 0 0 0 32 9.4 $725,000 28 R Ryan Jones 6' 1" 206 24 18 4 4 8 1 6 2 0 0 24 16.7 $746,000 25 C Jerred Smithson 6' 3" 204 29 41 3 4 7 -2 25 0 0 0 30 10 $475,000 4 D Ville Koistinen 5' 11" 187 26 21 2 5 7 0 8 1 0 1 23 8.7 $700,000 22 R Asshat 5' 9" 200 25 39 3 3 6 -11 74 0 0 1 77 3.9 $975,000 8 D Kevin Klein 6' 1" 203 24 22 3 2 5 -1 10 1 0 0 17 17.6 $650,000 7 D Greg de Vries 6' 2" 205 36 39 1 3 4 -15 40 0 0 0 30 3.3 $2,500,000 42 L Antti Pihlstrom 5' 11" 190 24 21 1 2 3 -3 6 1 0 0 41 2.4 $427,000 3 R Wade Belak 6' 5" 223 32 33 0 1 1 1 52 0 0 0 13 0 $479,000 53 C Michael Santorelli 6' 0" 189 23 2 0 0 0 -1 2 0 0 0 3 0 $565,000 26 R Steve Sullivan 5' 9" 173 34 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 $3,200,000 Totals/Averages 6' 1" 202.77 28.13 99 173 569 23 6 1154 8.58% $42,767,000 *injured

# Goalie HT WT AGE GPI Min GAA W L OT SO SA GA Sv% G A PIM Salary 39 Dan Ellis 6' 0" 188 28 28 1595 2.86 10 14 3 2 767 76 0.901 0 0 0 $1,500,000 35 Pekka Rinne 6' 5" 206 26 17 882 2.31 9 5 0 3 413 34 0.918 0 1 2 $575,000 Totals/Averages 6' 2" 197 27 45 2477 2.585 19 19 3 5 1180 110 0.906 0 1 2 $2,075,000

Ellis was not pleased about being pulled against the Pens. Quote: ““I think it was TOTAL CAP NUMBER: $45,494,000 stupid. Bottom line. It’s the exact same thing as last year. So yeah I was frus- CAP SPACE: $11,106,000 trated. Absolutely. I can’t stop both teams.” Probable Lines Probable Pairings *space also affected by buyouts and injured players Left Wing Center Right Wing 6 Weber 20 Suter Injury List 11 Legwand 19 Arnott 10 Erat 5 Zanon 2 Hamuis Scott Nichol-Out (Concussion) 22 Asshat 38 Fiddler 26 Sullivan 8 Klein 4 Koistinen Jason Arnott- Questionable (Back) 42 Santorelli 53 Philstrom 71 Dumont 14 Bonk 25 Smithson 29 Ward

...IS THIS THE YEAR? Ladies, are you like these two...

and having problems with PMS? Then it may be time to try the new herbal PMS supple- ment from The Commit- ted Indian! It’ll relieve your soreness and stress, and keep you from turning into the whiny bitch that Gretz and Sid the Kid are!!! The Fight Card

HAWKS vs. PREDATORS Fight Stats provided by Hockeyfights.com

GAME FIGHT TIME Bloody Black Bruised Just Analysis Nose Eye Ego Dancing 2-14-08 Barker vs. 1st. Barker, on his once-a-month pissed off Ortmeyer 8:03 session, (must really hate paying his cell √ phone bill) lands a couple rights early. 12-26-07 Wiz vs. Too- 3rd. On one leg, Wiz beats the ever-loving too 20:00 shit out of the biggest asshat in the √ √ league, and earns a place in every Hawk fans’ heart forever. 12-19-07 Burish vs. 3rd. Resident nutcase Burish and Nichol Nichol 13:51 √ don’t get up to much.

What To Watch For: Whenever you have the second of a back-to-back against a division rival, there’s a decent chance for mayhem. If this were the Blues or Jackets, you could bank on it. Unfortunately, for fight fans, the Preds are about the biggest bunch of pussies around. One of their few manly-men, Wade Belak, will most likely be in the pressbox tonight. There’s still , but he’d rather punch you in the balls from behind before going to hide behind the bench. Maybe he’ll cause something, but we doubt it.

Power Play Penalty Kill Team Opp PPG PP% Team OPP PPG PP% Team TS PPGA PK% Team TS PPGA PK% DET 172 48 27.9 OTT 165 30 18.2 MIN 144 18 87.5 ANA 226 42 81.4 PHI 156 41 26.3 NYI 179 32 17.9 NYR 168 21 87.5 CBJ 187 35 81.3 BOS 160 38 23.8 VAN 191 33 17.3 BUF 167 22 86.8 TBL 207 39 81.2 CHI 170 40 23.5 PIT 192 33 17.2 CGY 182 26 85.7 NJD 157 31 80.2 SJS 186 42 22.6 COL 175 29 16.6 SJS 153 22 85.6 DET 171 34 80.1 WSH 174 39 22.4 NJD 146 24 16.4 CHI 162 26 84 PHX 165 33 80 STL 179 40 22.4 TBL 178 28 15.7 NSH 190 31 83.7 STL 180 36 80 ANA 170 37 21.8 CAR 199 31 15.6 LAK 175 29 83.4 WSH 194 39 79.9 MIN 172 37 21.5 FLA 166 25 15.1 BOS 156 26 83.3 PIT 187 38 79.7 ATL 180 38 21.1 MTL 191 28 14.7 FLA 178 30 83.2 COL 165 35 78.8 BUF 180 37 20.6 DAL 171 25 14.6 PHI 210 36 82.9 CAR 162 36 77.8 TOR 182 37 20.3 NYR 190 27 14.2 MTL 186 32 82.8 DAL 160 37 76.9 CGY 190 36 19 NSH 167 22 13.2 NYI 193 34 82.4 EDM 174 45 74.1 LAK 180 34 18.9 PHX 185 24 13 OTT 167 30 82 ATL 184 48 73.9 EDM 182 34 18.7 CBJ 183 20 10.9 VAN 206 37 82 TOR 155 41 73.6 Spotlight

Shea Weber

Your clubhouse leader in the Norris Trophy race, along with , maybe Zdeno Chara (though he hasn’t even been the best d-man on his team this season), and hopefully our own Duncan Keith. Weber leads in goals by defensemen, and is second on his team in goals and points. His +6 isn’t going to alarm anyone, but is almost certainly the product of a team that frankly couldn’t score in a brothel on payday, as well as the Preds goal- tending being shaky at best. Basically, Shea Weber is what everyone tells us is but isn’t. He has just as much size, probably is a better skater, has the same booming , and better vision. But playing in the hockey outpost that is Nashville has left Weber without any of the Canadian media love. If he were an Oiler or a Canuck, he’d be touted on the top pair for their 2010 Olympic squad in Vancouver, and would be on the receiving end of El- isha Cuthbert’s sweet tail. Nashville’s #6 is going to be kicking our ass for years to come, unless he decided to head for pastures where he’d be more appreciated. We can only hope that’s the case.

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

Tonight, Dirk from On The Forecheck, the Predators wing of Kukla’s Nashville has sunk to 14th in the conference. Are fans there waving the white Korner (www.kuklaskorner.com) joins us to discuss what’s up with the Preds. flag? Or do they think they can make a run at a playoff spot? Will they be buyers or sellers come the deadline? Q: The Preds used to be a free-scoring bunch, but are next to last this year. I think I might have seen a few white flags pop up after a five-game losing streak What happened? and having the team fall behind Pittsburgh 3-0 at home Thursday night, but the A: , , , , Steve Sullivan, subsequent 5-3 win and the return of Steve Sullivan gives fans cause for hope. and Alexander Radulov, that’s what. All of these players have disappeared from Besides, last year they dropped a six-game floater early on and rallied back to the lineup for various reasons since the summer of 2007, without a single NHL- make the postseason. As for the trading deadline, I expect that the Preds will caliber offensive player replacing them. At least Sullivan is finally returning make a modest acquisition, similar to the Jan Hlavac deal last year. They don’t after two years on injured reserve, but nobody knows what to expect in terms of have much money to throw around (bringing in a $4 million+ player is unthink- productivity and durability there. able), but at the same time, it’s worth some investment just to qualify for the and the extra revenue that it brings to the organization. Nashville has seemingly shed a every season. Is Dan Ellis the one you’ll stay with? Or Rinne? Or another option? Barry Trotz has been your only . If things don’t turn around, The main reason the Predators have traded away goalies in each of the last two might he start feeling the heat? summers was to shed salary; Tomas Vokoun was shipped to Florida while Craig Given the personnel issues and the expectations that he faces, I doubt Trotz is un- Leipold was trying to sell the team, and was dealt because his $3 der serious pressure. Besides, he and GM have a long track record to- million was an obstacle to retaining other players. Since Ellis and Rinne com- gether going back to Poile’s days in Washington, when Trotz was a minor league bined make less than that, and are signed through next year, they’re likely to stick coach in the Capitals system. The ownership group has made clear that they want together for a while. Dan Ellis can’t get too comfortable as the #1, however, as no part in hockey decisions, and when describing Poile, the first word people use Rinne is considered to have a higher upside, and has been dynamite over the last is “patient”. Some fans may think “patient to a fault”, but this attitude gives the several weeks. Predators the luxury of taking a long-term approach to team development.

You are blessed with your top pair on the blue line. You watch them every Nashville is always mentioned as a market in trouble. You’re there, what’s it night, how good are Weber and Suter? like as a hockey town? Does it have a real future? They are as good a pair of young defensemen as you’ll find in the league, and What you have here is a solid hard-core fan base (which makes the game experi- bring a mix of abilities that blend well. Weber is the more physical defender of ence a blast), surrounded by a general public which is obsessed with college foot- the two, and has a monster of a shot, while Suter is probably the better passer and ball; once we get past New Year’s Day and football’s off the radar, the attendance rushes the puck up ice more aggressively. They’re still prone to the occasional at Preds games get much higher, and you’ll see the vast majority of sellouts in brain-fart in their own end, as all young blueliners are, but watching them dictate the 2nd half of the season. The new ownership group is taking what I think is the the flow of a game is a real treat. right approach to building a long-term success story; engaging their most loyal fans and getting them involved in selling the game, building corporate partner- On your site not only do you cover the Preds expertly, you’re also big into ships both large and small, and putting a competitive, home-grown team on the hockey sabermetrics, just like we are. What are some sites or numbers ice that can contend every year. One thing people may not know is that this team people who aren’t as familiar with them should check out? actually broke even last year; this isn’t a situation like Phoenix which is bleeding For a deep dive into the theory behind various issues like player evaluation and cash. Combine that with the general growth that Nashville is enjoying as a city win probabilities, Alan Ryder’s HockeyAnalytics.com should be your first stop. (#25 with a bullet, baby!) and the NHL future here is quite real indeed. But be warned, he tends to take a scholarly approach that results in 70-page PDF dissertations with lots of math. For data to chew on, besides Behind the Net there’s also the wonderful TimeOnIce.com, where you pull up ice-time informa- tion per game, and find out which players spent time on the ice with which team- mates, and which opponents. For instance, it tells me that last Sunday against Calgary, Joel Quenneville did his best to hide from and Mike Cammalleri.

Hawks-PREDS: the Last 4

Jan. 10th, 2009: Hawks 1, Preds 4 Oct. 13th, 2008: Preds 3, Hawks 2 (SO) Yuck. That’s the best way to describe it. Hawks Nashville ruins Hawks ridiculous red-carpet home fail to show up, and count on 4th line to score. Pre- opener. Havlat during 5-on-3 and The Sharp- dictable outcome. Shooter score, but cancelled out by Weber and Klein strikes. Preds expose Huet’s 5-hole in skills compe- tition.

April 4th, 2008: Preds 1, Hawks 3 Mar. 22nd, 2008: Hawks 1, Preds 2 (SO) Hawks slap aside Nashville in total dead-rubber The death-blow for Hawks playoff push. Tense, of a game, as the Preds had already elminated the glass-chew of a game. Hawks can’t crack Ellis in Hawks from the playoffs and clinched a spot for home run derby, and can’t recover the points lost. themselves. Fat lot of good that did anyone. 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. Example: Kane has faced the toughest opppostion at +.12 QUALTEAM- A measure of the quality of teammates each player plays with. Calculated 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. +/-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. RAT- ING- +/-ON/60 subtracted by +/-OFF/60.

NAME QUALCOMP QUALTEAM TOI/60 +-ON/60 +-OFF/60 RATING Power Play Ratings This is a measure of a team’s goals for per 60 minutes of player Aaron Johnson -0.06 -0.2 11.65 3.14 0.64 2.49 being on the ice on the power play. Andrew Ladd 0.05 0.2 12.41 1.78 0.53 1.25 Player GFON/60 Player GFON/60 Duncan Keith 0.05 0.16 18.74 1.6 0.36 1.24 Cam Barker 12.45 Dustin Byfuglien 8.13 Martin Havlat -0.01 0.08 13.33 1.54 0.59 0.95 James Wisniewski 10.35 Brent Seabrook 7.64 Dave Bolland 0.05 0.34 11.99 1.32 0.71 0.61 9.42 Martin Havlat 7.07 0.08 -0.13 12.69 1.15 0.74 0.41 8.87 Duncan Keith 6.81 Troy Brouwer 0.02 -0.17 11.44 1.31 1.05 0.26 Brian Campbell 8.8 Kris Versteeg 6.64 Brent Seabrook 0.07 0.41 16.97 1.02 0.78 0.24 Patrick Kane 8.67 Patrick Kane 0.07 -0.13 14.09 0.71 0.58 0.13 Matt Walker -0.03 -0.18 12.69 1.09 0.97 0.12 Penalty Kill Ratings This measures how many goals a team gives up per 60 minutes the Colin Fraser -0.13 -0.32 7.75 0.82 0.88 -0.07 player is on the ice on the PK. Jonathan Toews 0.06 0.03 13.2 0.6 0.98 -0.38 Player GA/60 Player GA/60 Dustin Byfuglien 0.01 0.12 12.06 0.57 0.99 -0.42 Andrew Ladd 4.73 Brent Sopel 6.4 Craig Adams -0.18 -0.27 7.55 0.33 0.84 -0.5 Brent Seabrook 4.88 Kris Versteeg 6.43 Ben Eager -0.12 -0.19 7.97 0.66 1.18 -0.52 Dave Bolland 4.94 Colin Fraser 8 Brian Campbell 0 -0.17 17.74 0.53 1.09 -0.55 Matt Walker 4.97 J. Wisniewski 8.1 Patrick Sharp 0.01 0.05 13.51 0.23 1.14 -0.91 Adam Burish 5.24 James Wisniewski 0.07 0.09 15.36 0.43 1.56 -1.12 Duncan Keith 5.54 Adam Burish -0.06 -0.02 6.64 0 1.31 -1.31 Aaron Johnson 5.79 Brent Sopel -0.11 0 10.89 -0.96 0.97 -1.93

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 the vs. Taken ice, per 60 min. Pretty self-explanatory. A measure of penalties drawn vs. Jonathan Toews 599 52.9 taken, per 60 min. NAME CORSI Colin Fraser 397 47.6 NAME PDRAW/60 PTAKE/60 Kris Versteeg 58 46.6 James Wisniewski 26 Adam Burish 2.1 0.8 Adam Burish 42 45.2 Martin Havlat 14.8 Craig Adams 1.7 0.7 Patrick Sharp 451 45 Andrew Ladd 12.6 Troy Brouwer 1.5 0.8 Dave Bolland 534 44.8 Dave Bolland 11.9 Dave Bolland 1.4 0.7 Andrew Ladd 35 25.7 Dustin Byfuglien 11.7 Kris Versteeg 1.4 0.9 Total Rank: 28th 47.0 Duncan Keith 11 Colin Fraser 1.4 0.8 Brian Campbell 10.4 Patrick Sharp 1.4 1.2 Brent Seabrook 9.4 Patrick Kane 1.3 1.2 Jonathan Toews 9.3 Andrew Ladd 1.1 0.9 Aaron Johnson 8.3 Jonathan Toews 1 0.8 Kris Versteeg 8.1 Dustin Byfuglien 1 1.4 Patrick Kane 7.9 Ben Eager 0.9 3.1 Ben Eager 7.8 James Wisniewski 0.9 0.9 Matt Walker 7.3 Martin Havlat 0.8 0.6 Patrick Sharp 6.3 Brian Campbell 0.7 0.3 Troy Brouwer 5.6 Matt Walker 0.5 0.5 Adam Burish 4.5 Brent Sopel 0.5 1 Cam Barker 4.5 Aaron Johnson 0.4 1.3 Craig Adams 3.6 Brent Seabrook 0.3 1.1 Hockey Sabermetrics NASHVILLE 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. Example: Kane has faced the toughest opppostion at +.12 QUALTEAM- A measure of the quality of teammates each player plays with. Calculated 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. +/-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. RAT- ING- +/-ON/60 subtracted by +/-OFF/60.

NAME QUAL- QUAL- TOI/60 +-ON/60 +-OFF/60 RATING Power Play Ratings COMP TEAM This is a measure of a team’s goals for per 60 minutes of player being on the ice on the power play. Kevin Klein -0.05 -0.21 11.47 0.25 -1.27 1.52 Player GFON/60 Player GFON/60 Ryan Jones -0.08 -0.14 9.92 0.67 -0.7 1.37 Ville Koistinen 5.45 Ryan Suter 4.18 Wade Belak -0.12 -0.2 5.43 0.33 -0.72 1.05 JP Dumont 5.31 Shea Weber 3.7 Shea Weber 0.01 -0.15 16.22 0.18 -0.86 1.04 Martin Erat 5.07 David Legwand 3.28 JP Dumont 0.02 0.08 13 0.12 -0.72 0.84 Jason Arnott 4.92 Radek Bonk 3.16 Greg Zanon 0.03 -0.28 15.02 0 -0.72 0.72 Ryan Jones 4.47 Ville Koistinen -0.02 -0.14 11.64 0.52 -0.19 0.7 Jason Arnott 0.02 0.12 13.27 0 -0.68 0.68 Joel Ward -0.02 0.03 11.27 0 -0.64 0.64 Penalty Kill Ratings This measures how many goals a team gives up per 60 minutes the Jerred Smithson -0.01 -0.3 10.47 -0.43 -0.49 0.06 player is on the ice on the PK. Martin Erat 0.06 -0.07 13.1 -0.5 -0.52 0.02 Player GA/60 Player GA/60 Scott Nichol 0.01 -0.26 7.98 -0.28 -0.06 -0.21 Greg de Vries 1.17 Dan Hamuis 6.79 Ryan Suter 0.01 0.16 16.08 -0.75 -0.32 -0.43 Joel Ward 1.8 David Legwand 7.06 David Legwand 0.03 -0.06 12.34 -0.85 -0.33 -0.52 Jerred Smithson 2.51 Scott Nichol 9.05 Radek Bonk -0.02 -0.14 11.53 -0.96 -0.29 -0.67 Ryan Suter 3.02 Dan Hamuis 0.04 -0.07 15.67 -1.24 -0.05 -1.19 Shea Weber 5.14 Vernon Fiddler 0.08 -0.07 9.9 -1.52 -0.24 -1.27 Greg Zanon 5.99 Jordin Tootoo -0.03 -0.17 11.43 -1.38 -0.05 -1.33 Vernon Fiddler 6.06 Greg de Vries 0 -0.03 14.13 -1.42 -0.05 -1.36

Corsi Rating Face-offs This measures how many shots are attempted for Penalties Drawn a team vs. how many are attempted against while vs. Taken Player Face-Offs Taken FO% a given player is on the ice, per 60 min. Pretty self-explanatory. A measure of penalties drawn vs. Radek Bonk 403 62 taken, per 60 min. NAME CORSI Vernon Fiddler 199 56.3 NAME PDRAW/60 PTAKE/60 Shea Weber 8.7 Scott Nichol 222 55.8 Ryan Jones 4.4 0.3 Kevin Klein 8 Jerred Smithson 297 54.2 Jordin Tootoo 2.5 2.2 Ryan Suter 7.8 Jason Arnott 523 53 Scott Nichol 1.7 2.2 JP Dumont 5.7 David Legwand 490 49 Joel Ward 1.4 0.7 Jason Arnott 5.1 Total: Rank: 2nd 53.6 Jason Arnott 1 1.2 Martin Erat 3.7 JP Dumont 0.9 0.3 Jordin Tootoo -1 Dan Hamuis 0.8 0.8 David Legwand -1.2 Vernon Fiddler 0.8 0.3 Joel Ward -3.2 Ryan Suter 0.7 1.5 Wade Belak -4.4 David Legwand 0.7 1 Vernon Fiddler -5.2 Martin Erat 0.6 1.9 Greg de Vries -6.9 Shea Weber 0.5 1.3 Ville Koistinen -9 Radek Bonk 0.5 1.2 Radek Bonk -9 Jerred Smithson 0.4 1 Jerred Smithson -9.3 Wade Belak 0.3 2 Dan Hamuis -9.3 Greg de Vries 0.3 0.9 Ryan Jones -13.4 Kevin Klein 0.2 1 Greg Zanon -13.8 Greg Zanon 0.2 1 Scott Nichol -17.6 Ville Koistinen 0 1 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 3 14 12 8.7 4.7 4.0 2 2 0 8 Jackson, Dave 1990 3 14 13 9.0 4.7 4.3 2 1 0 10 Devorski, Paul 1989 1 5 6 11.0 5.0 6.0 0 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 2 9 8 8.5 4.5 4.0 0 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 2 11 7 9.0 5.5 3.5 0 1 1 32 Kowal, Tom 2000 3 11 76 29.0 3.7 25.3 3 0 0 33 Pollock, Kevin 2000 2 7 9 8.0 3.5 4.5 1 0 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 1 5 4 9.0 5.0 4.0 0 1 0 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 ------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 PHI 29 1 PIT 65 1 Steve Mason CBJ 1.75 1 Steve Mason CBJ .938 2 A. Ovechkin WAS 27 2 PIT 55 2 M. Fernandez BOS 2.07 2 Craig Anderson FLA .933 3 Tomas Vanek BUF 27 3 A. Ovechkin WAS 54 3 BOS 2.08 3 Tim Thomas BOS .933 4 Phil Kessel BOS 24 4 BOS 52 4 N. Backstrom MIN 2.17 4 M. Fernandez BOS .928 5 NJ 22 5 ANA 49 5 Roberto Luongo VAN 2.17 5 Roberto Luongo VAN .928 10 Patrick Sharp CHI 20 18 Patrick Kane CHI 41 13 N. Khabibulin CHI 2.37 8 N. Khabibulin CHI .925 Killion’s Irish Rant

The Blackhawks sweater is the best in the NHL – we all I can still wear it in my apartment when watching games know this. It’s one of the greatest in all of professional sports. though. If the Hawks are playing like shit.. sometimes putting the Therefore we treat it with the pride and respect it deserves. I own sweater on after the first period actually even lights a spark under the only one jersey – but if it’s not on my back then it’s hanging up in a team’s collective ass. closet. While my jerseys for other teams end up with mustard, beer, or just plain ol’ dirt stains, my Hawks sweater is near pristine. It Obviously though, I’d like a sweater I can wear to games represents my pride in our team, our players and our city. or out in public.. which puts me in the predicament I’m in now. Do I join the masses and get a Kane/Toews sweater Unfortunately, I can never wear it out (yeah.. I probably will)? Or do I show I know of my apartment again. You see, I’m the proud my team more than McDonough and get one with owner of a #15 sweater. I bought Sharp or Keith on the back? If I go with my heart it back when Ruutu seemed to be the best thing – I’d probably get a 37 or 43. (save your snide the Hawks had goin’ for them. If you asked me comments.. I realize Burish isn’t all that great. I then, I would say he was the future of the team. I like him anyway). loved the energy he brought to the ice and I was convinced he’d be able to stay healthy soon and What ever ends up happening – know re-find that scoring touch we saw in his rookie that the jersey I buy will curse whichever player year. In other words, I was an idiot. Ruutu was I get and he’ll promptly be traded to hockey hell traded on deadline day last year for Andrew Ladd. Matthew Killion (Carolina, Atlanta, Phoenix or yes, Nashville). I apologize in advance. Now I realize just because a player leaves your team doesn’t mean you can’t wear their sweater any- more. But there’s something you don’t understand – the sweater is Matthew Killion is Head of our Cyber Division, otherwise known as now cursed. When I wore it out to a bar to watch them play the Stars secondcityhockey.com. We’ve finally convinced him to stop ranting a few days after the trade – the Hawks lost. When I wore it again about progress and write for the printed page. We’re glad he decided to the game honoring Hull and Mikita… well.. you remember, and I to do so. don’t want to talk about it. It was then I realized I was to blame, so let me apologize for that night… my bad.

AROUND THE BEND, AROUND TOWN, AROUND THE WORLD

- For those on the 2nd-line center watch, there are two names that Certainly worth a phone call, though. will get your pulse racing: and Nathan Horton. Don’t - Well There Goes That Idea: For those who missed the news last be fooled by Staal signing an extension with Pittsburgh. The Pen- night, 76 year-old is going home again, specifi- guins are short on wingers -- and that’s being kind -- and $4M for cally to New Jersey. Shanny was never likely to sign here, as he a third line center would seems exorbitant. Staal is not a winger, wanted to stay on the East Coast with his family. though they may try it to help solve the “Who Will Dry Sidney’s Tears?” problem. The thinking is that with Staal now locked up, -The Canadian Media Has All The Patience of George W. Bush his value will be even higher, as there’s no threat of him walking on On A Coke Binge. is already catching heat in some his new team However, we’re still not convinced about Staal’s of- circles because his first two games did not result in back-to-back hat- fensive output, and his subpar face-off numbers the past two seasons tricks. Did anyone really think he was going to light it up from the wouldn’t seem to solve the Hawks most glaring weakness. get-go? All of these players who come in midseason take at least 10 Whom we don’t have questions about, on the offensive end, games to get up to speed. Even was awful in his is Nathan Horton. There have been a few rumblings -- on Satel- first few games. The press north of the border is not a woman you’d lite Hotstove last week and recently on thefourthperiod.com -- that want to make love to. Horton wants out of south Florida badly. Apparently palm trees, fake boobs, and lots of people with Uzis doesn’t appeal to Nathan. -Going For Broke Sometimes Leaves You Just That: Have you Horton has broken the 25+ goal barrier three times, has size at a seen the Penguins lately? Not only are they losing, but they look position where the Hawks don’t, and his contract -- $16M over the about as happy as the residents of Guantanamo Bay. Expect Ther- next four years -- would be pretty reasonable. Think of it this way, rien to get the axe right quick if things don’t pick up this week. This when Havlat’s and Khabby’s $12M comes off the books in the sum- is a lesson for the Hawks. The Pens made their push last season mer, that would still leave $8M for extensions for Toews, Kane, and when they thought their window was open. Acquiring pieces they Keith. weren’t sure they could keep left them in the mess they find them- The problem is that Florida is assuredly going to ask for a selves in now, bereft of anything than their crown jewels. Tread king’s ransom in return. 23 year-old stud centers don’t come cheap. carefully, Dale. The Making of The

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 Jim Vandermeer (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 (BOS 1st round 1990) for (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 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), (2nd round) Jim Vandermeer (PHI FA 2000) and Dustin Byfuglien (8th round) 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 (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- Bob Murray (1999-2000) Goaltending Coach-Stephane Waite The Making of The Nashville Predators

YEAR DRAFT TRADE FREE AGENT 2008-2009 Ryan Jones (MIN 4th round 2004) from MIN and 2009 2nd Joel Ward (MIN Undrafted FA round pick for Marek Zidlicky 2006) 2007-2008 Wade Belak (QUE 1st round 1994) from TOR 2008 5th Radek Bonk (OTT 1st round round pick 1994) Antii Pihlstrom (Undrafted FA) Greg de Vries (EDM Undrafted FA 1994) Dan Ellis (DAL 2nd round 2000) 2006-2007 Jason Arnott (EDM 1st round 1993) J.P. Dumont (NYI 1st round 1996) Ville Koistinen (Undrafted FA) 2005-2006 Scott Nichol (BUF 11th round 1993) 2004-2005 Michael Santorelli (6th Jerred Smithson (Undrafted FA) round) Greg Zanon (OTT 5th round Pekka Rinne (8th round) 2000) 2003-2004 Ryan Suter (1st round) Steve Sullivan (NJ 9th round 1994) from CHI for 2004 and Shea Weber (2nd round) 2005 2nd round picks Kevin Klein (2nd round) 2002-2003 Vernon Fiddler (Undrafted FA) 2001-2002 Dan Hamhuis (1st round) Asshole (4th round) 1999-2000 Martin Erat (1st round) 1998-1999 David Legwand (1st round)

info in part provided by hockeyreference.com

COACHES Head Coach: Barry Trotz Asst. Coach: GM HISTORY Asst. Coach: Peter Horacek 1999-Present: David Poile Goaltending Coach: Mitch Korn The Hawks Record When...

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

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