The Ever Popular "Ex-Girlfriend" Report

Whether people admit it or not, everyone secretly likes to see their ex fail, after they exit stage left. It's human nature. Show me a person that doesn't and I'll show you a liar. So, from time to time I'll be putting together a little piece with the status of former Hawks that are now elsewhere. I'll do all the leg work, to make it easy on you, aaaaaaand here we go:



The Stats
Andrew Ladd 8 Games 3-5-8 +2 2PIM
Dustin Byfuglien 8 Games 2-4-6 -5 21PIM (17 in the Capitals game alone)
Ben Eager 8 Games 1-1-2 +1 29PIM (14 in the Lightning game alone)
Kris Versteeg 7 Games 1-1-2 -4 11PIM
Brent Sopel 8 Games 0-1-1 +2 4PIM
John Madden 7 Games 1-0-1 -4 0PIM
Adam Burish 7 Games 1-0-1 +3 17PIM
Colin Fraser 6 Games 0-1-1 -1 9PIM



First of all, I think I remember stating that Ladd is the one player who's exit hurts the most. Eight points in eight games for a dreadful Atlanta Thrashers club, seems pretty important doesn't it? Fluff has looked well on the score sheet, but his Defense (-5) and self control have been suspect, as you will see below. Versteeg has done absolutely nothing skating with the top line in Toronto. Not so easy when you can't hide behind two other lines of talent, is it, Steeger? On to the goaltenders:


Antti Niemi 4games 4.49 GAA 1-3-0 .854
Antero Niittymaki 4games 1.80 GAA 2-0-1 .932 (included for comparison)



Second, I think I remember saying Niemi would be lucky to beat out Niittymaki for the starting job, when the starting job was his to have, here. How's that head to head looking, Forehead? For shits and giggles how are the current Hawks looking?



Marty Turco 7 Games 2.65 GAA 4-2-1 .921
Corey Crawford 3 Games 3.03 GAA 1-2-0 .912



And to leave no stoned unturned, Cristobal Huet is doing very well for his Siberian Snow Dog team (I know it's a Swiss National Team, save the angry emails and comments). I love this picture of him. It looks like an Indy Car fire suit with all that advertising on it, and that logo looks strangely like the Canadiens logo. Deja Vu all over again, Cristo:


Cristobal Huet 11 Games 2.28 GAA .936



How about a little video eye candy for the easily entertained? Here are a few little tidbits of the guys we HAD to have:

Big Fluff exhibiting his stellar defensive prowess and getting turned around like a top at a two year old's birthday party





Big Fluff scoring and showing how excited he is to be in Atlanta. I love this celebration. Brings back memories of the celebrations of last years playoffs, doesn't it? Actually, it reminds me of the Droopy The Dog.
"You know what? I'm happy"





Big Fluff runs Caps goalie Neuvirth and gets a game misconduct. Can someone explain to him that it's not the playoffs yet and that he probably won't be partaking in them when they finally arrive?





Antti Niemi getting drilled like a bowling ball. Top Cheese, Gentlemen





Niemi getting pulled after giving up 3 goals on 5 shots, in just over 8 minutes. Check out the top cheese by Iginla. How's that west coast Defense treating you now, Antti?







EDIT - It was pointed out that I left out Versteeg and Burish. It's obvious how anyone could leave Steeger out, with his grand total of 2 points, and Burish has been equally exciting, but this video of him apologizing for screwing up in some fan's NHL11 game is PRICELESS!

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Ladies and Gents, Versteeg has left the building

It’s the eve of July 1st and it’s déjà vu all over again. Kris Versteeg and the rights to Chicagoan Bill Sweatt were traded to lowly Toronto for Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis. Anyone who knows anything about hockey, and not just what they watched from their bandwagon seats, expected something like this. Versteeg is a 3rd line winger that was overpaid. As I’ve said before, If you think we can’t replace him, then you’re just a moron. The Hawks have plenty of young talent in the minors, and there are certainly some cheaper 40-50 point wingers out there that love to turn over the puck in the neutral zone and rap badly. In fact, I will go on record and say he will not have a better season next year, because he cannot hide behind 2 full lines of stellar talent and be forgotten about. As with the Atlanta trade, I want to emphasize something. This trade was NOT to get solid NHL talent in return. Bowman did NOT need to load up on more inflated salaries. They acquired two PROSPECTS and a good sized role player that might be able to put 15-20 goals in the net, with a few guys around him. So, all you little kiddies can just climb back off the ledge. If we're going to be left with one sightly immature player on the roster going into training camp, give me Patrick Kane 100 out of 100 times. I am, though, kind of sad to see Elburn native and Colorado College speedster Billy Sweatt gone. It's always good to see a hometown guy make it with the big club, a la Eddie O. I guess our hopes now hinge on Danny Richmond. So much for that pipe dream. The big picture shows that the Hawks will be just fine.

I also want to address the Colin Fraser trade. This one is a real wash, and, I believe, Edmonton's request, rather than the Hawks. Fraser didn’t even play more than 3 playoff games in either of the last two years. He was a marginal player. Obviously, he wasn’t that important. This gives him a chance to possibly move up to a third line position with Edmonton, rather than wasting away as a forth line/press box player. Good luck Fraz, you’re a good kid.

You’ll probably see Hjalmarsson, Ladd and Niemi back, unless some dumb team wants to grossly over pay for one of them. If they can comfortably sleep at night with that, then more power to them. Huet needs to take a long walk of a short pier. If I never see that guy again, it’ll be too soon. Rot in Rockford, you fragile, french, goofy grinning, sieve. Once all that is taken care of the Hawks will have cleared up somewhere around $13 to $15 million, and that was a tall order for Stan to do without breaking up the core. I'm very comfortable with the job he has done thus far, now lets sneak in a sleeper free agent.

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