Series Thread: WCF: Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks (Blackhawks win 4-3).

[868904]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Agreed, Hjalmarsson is excellent. That said though we don't really know exactly what we have in a lot of guys IMO. A lot of wild cards in the system that can skate, move the puck, and have decent size - the question is if they can defend.

I do know Wideman / Russell are not the solution for that role, one lacks the awareness and mobility while the other lacks the size. Can't get caught up in offensive production, it's all about limiting time and space.

Agree with you about Wideman but not about Russell. Yes he lacks size, but his game is very similar to Keith, in terms of how he defends (obviously not the same in terms of offense). I think Russell can be a part of the top 4 defense but he needs a big mobile defense partner. Down the stretch after Gio went down, Russell carried the defense core. Brodie had some nights where he dominated but other nights where he was terrible. Russell was consistently good. I was really impressed with how he played this year as I really didn't see him as anything more than a 6 or 7 guy on a contending team, but i've changed my view of him now. The way I see it all shaping out when the team is ready to contend for the cup:

1st pairing: Brodie - ?
2nd pairing: Russell - ?
3rd pairing: Giordano - ?

I have Giordano on the 3rd pair as i'm thinking he'll probably slow 3 years from now, which is when i think the Flames will be serious contenders for the cup assuming everything goes well. He'll still be a good player for the Flames but I think they'll want to limit him to about 16 to 20 mins a night by then.

As for the ? above, i'm hoping Wotherspoon can develop into the second pairing partner with Russell as I think his maximal projection is as a big mobile shutdown guy with some offense.

There should be lots of contenders for that 3rd pairing spot opposite Giordano from the likes of Kulak, Culkin, Morrison, Rafikov, etc.

The biggest void seems to be that top pairing guy to play with Brodie. Not sure if Hickey has that kind of upside, but he's really the only prospect we have that has that potential.

That top pairing defenseman is a real priority for the Flames. Flames will either have to draft one or trade for one. If only there were a current day UFA like Chara when the Bruins signed him.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

...Where magically lock up our Marian Hossa?

He's been a star for years and I think he's still underrated.

Big, strong guy who is solid at both ends. He's really a fantastic player. The Flames have nothing close to that right now in the pipeline, unfortunately. Not many (if any) teams do.

[OILFAN #81]

Better team won he series. Chicago is better then Anaheim. Their top players up front are better then Anaheim's, the top 4 on defense are better led by Duncan Keith who is an absolute beast and Crawford outplayed Andersen in the series. Not shocking that the better team won. Toews and Keith are absolute beasts. Getzlaf had an awful game 6 and 7.

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

Dino...it was a statement by Toews, in particular, that the Campbell was just an intermediate goal, and the job isn't finished...the REAL prize is Lord Stanley's Cup.

Sure. In fact, why not stop all goal celebrations, raising arms, heck even smiling, until the real goal of hoisting the Cup is accomplished?

I'm sorry, hockey players do a lot of stupid things by habit and makeup. This is one of the stupidest. The trophy presentation becomes a total charade. At least they can use 'tradition' as some defense I suppose.

[Armchair Quarterback]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Better team won he series. Chicago is better then Anaheim. Their top players up front are better then Anaheim's, the top 4 on defense are better led by Duncan Keith who is an absolute beast and Crawford outplayed Andersen in the series. Not shocking that the better team won. Toews and Keith are absolute beasts. Getzlaf had an awful game 6 and 7.

Actually I think they were pretty evenly matched. But Chicago has more experience in high pressure situations than Anaheim. Also Chicago had an answer for Anaheim's physical game whereas the Ducks couldn't seem to contain the Hawks best players.

IMO Anaheim just got too far ahead of themselves when they went up 3-2 in the series, made smug comments about Duncan Keith not being able to handle their forwards (he responded by getting three assists and playing almost 50 minutes the following game), and generally insulted the hockey gods by having Corey Perry and Kesler on their roster.

[Locke]

"Winners brah! Winners!!"

[dieHARDflameZ]

Not much beats seeing Kesler suffer playoff failure time and time again. Hears to hoping that trend continues.

[Resolute 14]

Apparently unaware of the irony, Ducks fans were really rocking the "#NobodyLikesUsWeDontCare" hash tag lat night.

[codynw]

More like the Anaheim Sucks, AM I RIGHT???

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Apparently unaware of the irony, Ducks fans were really rocking the "#NobodyLikesUsWeDontCare" hash tag lat night.

not quite #embracethehate

[Northendzone]

So does Kessler wait a few weeks before requesting a trade to a team that is poised to win?