Stats are misleading

I watched a lot of non Hawk games this weekend and two things stand out to me

Hawks are much quicker than most teams and their passing this year has gone to a whole new level.

Also Kane is a beast at gaining the Blue Line and making plays night after night
His shot is very improved and adds a whole new dimension to his game and the second line
Scary

Watched the Van Carolina game
Brutal on both sides
What a drop off for the Canucks.......

I am curious about your opinion on this. Which team(s) do you believe can hang with the Hawks for a whole series? Assuming good health for both teams....
- mohel

Definitely the Blues, a healthy Kings, hungry Sharks, and Ducks if the start rolling.

In a possible seven game series against the Hawks, there is no way the Avs can maintain pace or defensive coverage in an entire series.
- wiz1901

Also worth notation is how some players rise or fall to the occasion. While Chicago has a roster nearly intact after experiencing this in the Cup run and, specifically against Boston, the Blues were knocked out early.

Not saying this lack of playoff experience - where players may scale new heights - is necessarily a hindrance to the Blues - but it is a point in Chicago's favor.

Also not to be overlooked is that 1) Whomever plays the Kings will be a very beat up aching team; and 2) Hitchcock is a good coach, an experienced coach and has a hungry basically still young (overal) team ripe for a long run. As others have said, Halak healthy is key since Elliot is not as capable.

Hitch won a Cup with Dallas against Buffalo in 1999?

I was just looking at Capgeek and noticed something pretty cool about the goalie situation. Raanta's number is $925K, which is the exact portion of Bulin's contract that can be stashed in Rockford if he returns to health and the Hawks don't want him. In other words, the backup goalie won't cost more that Bulin's cap number whether the backup is Bulin or Raanta. This means that no other roster move is needed to switch goalies. Maybe it is a coincidence that these contracts match up like this, but I don't think so. Good play, Stan.
- mohel

Do you really think (assuming he clears waivers, and I assume he would) that Khabibulin would agree go to Rockford?

He'd probably quit first - and I think that would mean the Hawks would have to absorb his full salary cap hit, but I'm not sure of that.

Perhaps he could be loaned to the KHL.

Stats are misleading

I watched a lot of non Hawk games this weekend and two things stand out to me

Hawks are much quicker than most teams and their passing this year has gone to a whole new level.
- PEIHawkFan

Yeah, but the evolution of this teams ability, toughness and time of possession is quite impressive.
There is a clear dominance of skill.

I want to pinch myself when Kruger and the other youngsters continue to show me they are fearless strong and committed to all phases.

I am curious about your opinion on this. Which team(s) do you believe can hang with the Hawks for a whole series? Assuming good health for both teams....
- mohel

I think there are quite a few teams that can hang with the Hawks but beating the Hawks in a 7 game series is a whole different story.

Definitely the Blues, a healthy Kings, hungry Sharks, and Ducks if the start rolling.
- wiz1901

Thanks for the input. I am least concerned about the Ducks, and most concerned about the Kings and Blues. But I think any of those teams could beat the Hawks if the CHI doesn't play well (as almost happened with DET last year).

Yeah, but the evolution of this teams ability, toughness and time of possession is quite impressive.
There is a clear dominance of skill.

I want to pinch myself when Kruger and the other youngsters continue to show me they are fearless strong and committed to all phases.
- wiz1901

Looks like Kruger has gotten better as the season has progressed. Looked a little sloppy in the beginning of the season, but then again, the whole team did.

Smith was just plain awesome the entire road-trip. I am glad we has finally gotten his shot with the Hawks. As was mentioned on this board earlier, that 4th line is just another 3rd line. In fact, I kind of like the 4th line out there more than the current 3rd.

I think Smith and Pirri have earned the right to return their I-Passes for good.

Do you really think (assuming he clears waivers, and I assume he would) that Khabibulin would agree go to Rockford?

He'd probably quit first - and I think that would mean the Hawks would have to absorb his full salary cap hit, but I'm not sure of that.

Perhaps he could be loaned to the KHL.
- StLBravesFan

I don't think he has to agree. He would first be placed on waivers, which means they are okay with him leaving the organization. I doubt anyone assumes his salary, which means they can assign him to the AHL. He could of course quit, which would indeed mean the Hawks get the whole cap hit. I doubt he would do that, though, because he would forfeit the rest of his paychecks. I would guess if he didn't want to report, the Hawks would agree to pay him and allow him to stay away from Rockford.

I am not sure about the rules about the loan, but I'd guess that it works like the AHL.

All this depends on his return to health.

Yeah, but the evolution of this teams ability, toughness and time of possession is quite impressive.
There is a clear dominance of skill.

I want to pinch myself when Kruger and the other youngsters continue to show me they are fearless strong and committed to all phases.
- wiz1901

If someone (like Pirri) wins more in the face off then this team will find it easier to control the puck.

Sometimes teams are concentrating on the coverage and pressure immediately after the face off. Win the face off.....no sweat, they will tie you up or force a turn over off of the play happening immediately after the face off.

At times last playoff Q was out coached. Think Detroit series. And in that series early on our forwards were not in proper position for break outs. Q gets stubborn and has to see us get beat before he changes things up...usually. Having puck control may help alleviate or eliminate this this to some degree. When you have puck control more than the other team, you are more likely to be ahead or even on the scoreboard. Not squeezing the stick so hard. Which is one thing that happened against Detroit. And yes, I know too that Q put Seabs and Keith back together later in that Detroit series.

I would like to know how many really think Vancouver may miss the post season?

I see where a few have said they are too much reliant on a one line scoring. Yep, players like Booth and Higgins, veterans, could show up more on the scoresheet. Better hope Kesler remains healthy and Luongo doesn't get spoofed in playoffs, Canuck fans. I really think Horvat will eventually help them develop another strong line, but not happening this season.

I think Smith and Pirri have earned the right to return their I-Passes for good.
- Return of the Roar

Smith is here to stay, but I worry about Pirri if/when the roster is fully healthy. As of today somebody would have to go to Rockford or be traded if Kostka, Khabby and Bickell came back.

Smith is here to stay, but I worry about Pirri if/when the roster is fully healthy. As of today somebody would have to go to Rockford or be traded if Kostka, Khabby and Bickell came back.
- DarthKane

The only roster move needed would be to send one of the goalies to Rockford.

I don't think he has to agree. He would first be placed on waivers, which means they are okay with him leaving the organization. I doubt anyone assumes his salary, which means they can assign him to the AHL. He could of course quit, which would indeed mean the Hawks get the whole cap hit. I doubt he would do that, though, because he would forfeit the rest of his paychecks. I would guess if he didn't want to report, the Hawks would agree to pay him and allow him to stay away from Rockford.

I am not sure about the rules about the loan, but I'd guess that it works like the AHL.

All this depends on his return to health.
- mohel

"the rest of his paycheck" would be about US$1MM - a lot to some of us here, but maybe not to someone coming off of several large contracts: I don't think he would want to play in the AHL - maybe the KHL.

If they pay him to stay away from the Ice Dogs: what does that do to the Ice Dogs roster - can they replace on their roster, or would he wind up being the 2nd goalie, living in Minsk kaPinsk?

If they pay him to stay away, and he isn't assigned to Rockford, would his cap hit be only the amount above US$900,000 - the same as if he went to Rockford?

Inquisitive minds want to know.

I was just looking at Capgeek and noticed something pretty cool about the goalie situation. Raanta's number is $925K, which is the exact portion of Bulin's contract that can be stashed in Rockford if he returns to health and the Hawks don't want him. In other words, the backup goalie won't cost more that Bulin's cap number whether the backup is Bulin or Raanta. This means that no other roster move is needed to switch goalies. Maybe it is a coincidence that these contracts match up like this, but I don't think so. Good play, Stan.
- mohel

I missed that a few weeks ago and it was brought up here....

I think you can bet the rent money that is not a coincidence.

Circus trip ends with impressive 5-2 win. Hawks are set up for a great December -. On The Blackhawks: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eDT6X6

If someone (like Pirri) wins more in the face off then this team will find it easier to control the puck.

Sometimes teams are concentrating on the coverage and pressure immediately after the face off. Win the face off.....no sweat, they will tie you up or force a turn over off of the play happening immediately after the face off.

At times last playoff Q was out coached. Think Detroit series. And in that series early on our forwards were not in proper position for break outs. Q gets stubborn and has to see us get beat before he changes things up...usually. Having puck control may help alleviate or eliminate this this to some degree. When you have puck control more than the other team, you are more likely to be ahead or even on the scoreboard. Not squeezing the stick so hard. Which is one thing that happened against Detroit. And yes, I know too that Q put Seabs and Keith back together later in that Detroit series.

I would like to know how many really think Vancouver may miss the post season?

I see where a few have said they are too much reliant on a one line scoring. Yep, players like Booth and Higgins, veterans, could show up more on the scoresheet. Better hope Kesler remains healthy and Luongo doesn't get spoofed in playoffs, Canuck fans. I really think Horvat will eventually help them develop another strong line, but not happening this season.
- jhawk59

It's possible, but I think the Canucks will snag one of the wild card spots. I doubt they'll do much in the playoffs but they'll get in. Minny and Phoenix are ahead of the Canucks with fewer games played so it won't be easy.

The only roster move needed would be to send one of the goalies to Rockford.
- mohel

I checked in on capgeek.com. With Kostka, Bickell and Khabibulin returning and sending Raanta back to Rockford there isn't enough cap space (as of today).

I checked in on capgeek.com. With Kostka, Bickell and Khabibulin returning and sending Raanta back to Rockford there isn't enough cap space (as of today).
- DarthKane

I don't think Bickell is on LTIR so his return should not have an effect on the cap.

"the rest of his paycheck" would be about US$1MM - a lot to some of us here, but maybe not to someone coming off of several large contracts: I don't think he would want to play in the AHL - maybe the KHL.

If they pay him to stay away from the Ice Dogs: what does that do to the Ice Dogs roster - can they replace on their roster, or would he wind up being the 2nd goalie, living in Minsk kaPinsk?

If they pay him to stay away, and he isn't assigned to Rockford, would his cap hit be only the amount above US$900,000 - the same as if he went to Rockford?

Inquisitive minds want to know.
- StLBravesFan

Yes they do! I think he's a Phoenix area resident now, so I'm not sure he would want to do the KHL. Perhaps he can be assigned to Rockford and then loaned to Siberia - that might solve the Rockford roster issue. He might not want to play anymore; could be he thinks he's done, too.

I'm not sure what happens (cap wise) if they assign him to Rockford and he doesn't report. My guess is they will work it out, though, as the current Hawks management seems to have very good player/management relations.

We'll see though, because I doubt the ol' groin will be a season-ending thing (unless there is surgery).

Salute Duncs on the FINE year you're having...despite your 1.whatever shooting %

I checked in on capgeek.com. With Kostka, Bickell and Khabibulin returning and sending Raanta back to Rockford there isn't enough cap space (as of today).
- DarthKane

Capgeek has the Hawks current cap payroll at $65.181M, which is $881K over the cap. The Hawks current cap payroll will decrease by $925K when either goalie goes to Rockford; which brings the cap payroll to $64.265, or $135K under the cap.

Salute Duncs on the FINE year you're having...despite your 1.whatever shooting %


- philco28

Well.....

Dunces could try concentrating on hitting the boards behind the net with his blast insofar as the puck caroms out front for an easy put in. Like Stone purposely did for Phoenix against us end of circus trip

LOL

I don't think Bickell is on LTIR so his return should not have an effect on the cap.
- 67hawks

He's not listed as on LTIR. They don't need to do so because they don't need the room over the cap right now, but he still counts against the cap whether on LTIR or not. LTIR only allows the team to go over the cap by the amount of the player's salary while that player is injured - it does not remove the salary from the cap payroll number.

Well.....

Dunces could try concentrating on hitting the boards behind the net with his blast insofar as the puck caroms out front for an easy put in. Like Stone purposely did for Phoenix against us end of circus trip

LOL
- jhawk59

He tries to do that at times....

BTW....."Life is like Keith's Nerf Gun clapper" was the original line Sally Field was set to speak in Forrest Gump....

before "Life is like a box of chocolates," was finally settled on.

Capgeek has the Hawks current cap payroll at $65.181M, which is $881K over the cap. The Hawks current cap payroll will decrease by $925K when either goalie goes to Rockford; which brings the cap payroll to $64.265, or $135K under the cap.
- mohel

FORWARDS
Patrick Sharp ($5.900m) / Jonathan Toews ($6.300m) / Patrick Kane ($6.300m)
Brandon Saad ($0.764m) / Brandon Pirri ($0.618m) / Marian Hossa ($5.275m)
Bryan Bickell ($4.000m) / Andrew Shaw ($0.578m) / Kris Versteeg ($2.200m)
Brandon Bollig ($0.575m) / Marcus Kruger ($1.325m) / Ben Smith ($0.563m)
Michal Handzus ($1.000m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook ($5.800m) / Duncan Keith ($5.538m)
Niklas Hjalmarsson ($3.500m) / Johnny Oduya ($3.383m)
Nick Leddy ($2.700m) / Michal Rozsival ($2.200m)
Sheldon Brookbank ($1.250m) / Mike Kostka ($0.625m)
GOALTENDERS
Corey Crawford ($2.667m)
Nikolai Khabibulin ($1.700m)
BUYOUTS
Rostislav Olesz ($0.000m)
Steve Montador ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2013-14 crunched using simulation date of 2013-12-02)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; BONUSES: $981,667
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): -$204,178