Scott is officially an all star captain. Should be interesting to watch Kane's team dance circles around him.

The fan vote needs to stop.
- jacksonshole

Scott shouldn't even be on the AS ballot, how the poop did he get the vote? Jagr also voted in.

Why does the NHLNetwork show a replay Rus/Den game instead of the live Can/Fin?
In the Us that is...

TT and drouin have identical cap hits fwiw

Scott shouldn't even be on the AS ballot, how the poop did he get the vote? Jagr also voted in.
- Assman22

In past years, i thought I couldn't care less about the ASG. This year proved me wrong.

U-G-H

JJ, you are right on with this article.

I think Kane is really making a real case for MVP. Not many teams leaning on a player as much as the Hawks are on Kane and his PP production. Some of the other guys that I would say are having great seasons have others on their team that are playing really well also, but Kane is like the cog that drives the Hawks this year.

JJ, you are right on with this article.

I think Kane is really making a real case for MVP. Not many teams leaning on a player as much as the Hawks are on Kane and his PP production. Some of the other guys that I would say are having great seasons have others on their team that are playing really well also, but Kane is like the cog that drives the Hawks this year.
- breadbag

Thx bag. The Hawks have a great opportunity this year if they can make a move or two before the TDL.

JJ what are your thoughts on Nick Schmaltz signing in March? I'm sure he'll get an audition. Wonder how ready he may or may not be.
- acmidd28

Just scored short side high against the Czech team. Nice hands

Drouin for TT?

Drouin, a natural LW, slots in the first line with Toews and Hossa.

Dano recalled and plays his natural RW slot on the 3rd line with Danault
- Dannyboy

I'm a big fan of Drouin. Will TT or JD be the better player, who knows? But I'd make that deal, although TT is ahead of him right now performance wise, just by virtue of getting more games.

TT and drouin have identical cap hits fwiw
- ikeane

Solves some issues. Brings a skilled natural LW and cap wise it works. Then Dano can come back up and play his normal RW spot and Q can finally see the skill he has.

Anyone else feel that Seabrook is having a bit of a jekyll and hyde season? I mean, offensively this year is shaping up to be one of his very best, but on the defensive side he hasn't been as fantastic. I like Seabrook, but here are some stats.

For the Hawks D, only Scuderi has worse Corsi 5v5.

Shots for / Shots against - Scuderi/Rosy are worse.

Giveaways on D 5v5 Seabrook is the team leader with 45 and that is the same as Hjalmarsson and TVR (who are #2 and #3) combined.

I could give a number of other stats, but my point is that for things like shots/possession/scoring chances he is having a down year and is "on paper" having the hardest time of the top 4.

I make it no secret that I felt that him and Svedberg struggled in a big way when they were paired together, which I'm sure impacted these #'s. When Keith was out, there was more tough assignments for them defensively and it wasn't pretty.

Anyway, I would like to see Seabrook have a strong second half at both end of the rink and I think it will be a huge boost for the team.

One other interesting thing. Hawks are 11-10-2 when outshooting their opponent and 10-3-2 when they've been outshot. Add that they are 12-1-2 when leading after 1 period and 15-0-1 when leading after 2. That re-enforces that they just seem to give up a lot of shots when they have the lead early but seem to still be able to able to win.

Thx bag. The Hawks have a great opportunity this year if they can make a move or two before the TDL.
- John Jaeckel

Definitely want to see them take the opportunity while the window is open. It makes up for all those rough years. I think back to the days of Tyler Arnason, Kyle Calder and Mark Bell being some of the best players they could put on the ice. Along with hoping Ruutu would breakout in a huge way.

Drouin for TT?

Drouin, a natural LW, slots in the first line with Toews and Hossa.

Dano recalled and plays his natural RW slot on the 3rd line with Danault
- Dannyboy

Stop it with TT I don't believe he is going anywhere
Maybe Dano is traded but more likely I think they have either Sved or Pokka that are NHL ready and with the emergence of Gus one of the two is expendable
I would prefer they keep Sved because you just can't teach his size and I think he will only get better with maturity

In the playoffs, assuming no further moves are made :

1) The top 4 is marginally worse than last year (minus Oduya, plus say TVR)
2) The Bottom 3 on defense is much better than what we had in the playoffs, especially the last two rounds (Gusto, Rozy, Scuderi vs. TVR, Rundblad, Timonen, Cumiskey). That's assuming Rozy can stay healthy through the playoffs.

A lot of it comes down to TVR. I would much prefer to see him getting 10-15 minutes a night as a #5 come playoff time, but he is not going to hurt you with a lot of dumb plays, that's for sure. And if you play him with Keith or Hjalmarsson, it's not like he wouldn't have a lot of help.

I don't see as clearly how going out and trading for a #4 guy who is marginally better than TVR improves this team as much as or more than acquiring a legit left wing to play with 19 and 81 which makes that line better—and which in turn allows

Shaw to make the fourth line better. Especially 5 on 5, where the Hawks are not scoring or defending anything like last year.

It almost defies logic.
- John Jaeckel

Well said JJ and I completely agree plus we have more defensive depth with Sved in the minors

Scott shouldn't even be on the AS ballot, how the poop did he get the vote? Jagr also voted in.
- Assman22

Hipsters on Reddit.

Stop it with TT I don't believe he is going anywhere
Maybe Dano is traded but more likely I think they have either Sved or Pokka that are NHL ready and with the emergence of Gus one of the two is expendable
I would prefer they keep Sved because you just can't teach his size and I think he will only get better with maturity
- molly2522

I think it is an avenue to explore considering the gap at LW. JD definitely possesses some high end talent, but Toews and Hossa need a guy who is a bit more willing to engage than TT or JD on their wing. But to your point - I don't think the Hawks will trade him.

I'm a big fan of Drouin. Will TT or JD be the better player, who knows? But I'd make that deal, although TT is ahead of him right now performance wise, just by virtue of getting more games.
- howiehandles

That's what I don't get, if TT is ahead of him, you make the trade anyway?

Why?

That's what I don't get, if TT is ahead of him, you make the trade anyway?

Why?
- vabeachbear

Position fit. Allows everyone to play where they are most comfortable. That's not if he's a primma donna.

Not sure I agree that's an overpay for the Hawks. Jonathan Drouin is not JP Dumont. He tore up the Q (albeit with inflated point goals typical of that league) because he has supreme talent. Probably every bit as much or more than TT.

I can't really speak to whether there's a character or maturity issue there. I just don't know, haven't heard.
- John Jaeckel

I guess my point is where there is smoke, there's fire. There is a reason he isn't able to stick in TB, and it isn't that they are too good, they are mediocre at best.

Why would you trade your best player on an ELC, for someone on a lesser teams who can't crack their lineup.

Doesn't make sense to me, at least not straight up. I have no problem making the trade, just not straight up, you have the better player right now, you don't need to.

Now, they want to take Bickell or throw in a pick or two, then I'll take it as a serious proposal.

Stop it with TT I don't believe he is going anywhere
Maybe Dano is traded but more likely I think they have either Sved or Pokka that are NHL ready and with the emergence of Gus one of the two is expendable
I would prefer they keep Sved because you just can't teach his size and I think he will only get better with maturity
- molly2522

If Tampa's scout has been watching Rockford then it's more likely that the Lightning want Dano.

I think it is an avenue to explore considering the gap at LW. JD definitely possesses some high end talent, but Toews and Hossa need a guy who is a bit more willing to engage than TT or JD on their wing. But to your point - I don't think the Hawks will trade him.
- 93Joe

Brainstorming but what about pokka for drouin? TT goes to third line rw, JD auditions at #1 LW, shaw drops back into bottom six

Just scored short side high against the Czech team. Nice hands
- 6628

He's looked very good today, second best player on the ice after Matthews.

He's pretty sound defensively, and he can really make some great passes.

Go check out the replay of his pass to Matthews on Matthews second goal (Kane and TT like).

Pretty nice C prospect. I'd probably sign him after this year and give him a year or two in Rockford.

Brainstorming but what about pokka for drouin? TT goes to third line rw, JD auditions at #1 LW, shaw drops back into bottom six
- ikeane

Now that, I would do, I'd even throw in a pick.

Problem is I can't believe Yzerman ever would

This team as constructed now has yet to play it's best hockey consistently , but shows flash when playing the big boy's . Dallas was a bit of anomaly , and was close till the 3rd. It would be great to get a 1 LW, as JJ say's it will effect all the lines positively . I still feel it will be JVR out of TO . Bickel Dano Pokka 2016 1st 2017 1st for JVR and Polak and a 2nd in 2016 or 17 .JVR makes up for those 2 1st picks fits the HAWKS like a glove . Polak is just the type of Defenseman Q loves . Just wild speculation over Christmas with family (ardent Leaf fans ) .And this is one of the few things we agreed on .All the best to you all in the new year and GO HAWKS !!!!!!

If Tampa's scout has been watching Rockford then it's more likely that the Lightning want Dano.
- DarthKane

Or the Hawks are trying to get them to take someone from Rockford in some deal for some player.

Tampa probably doesn't need to scout Teravainen that much.

Like I said, I haven't heard specifically to this point that the Hawks are making a pitch for Drouin. Some of the dots connect is all.

If Tampa's scout has been watching Rockford then it's more likely that the Lightning want Dano.
- DarthKane

Dano for Drouin straight up makes more sense. Is it and even trade?