After Keith came back from his injury he lost at least one step...And for the first time I can recall he looked tired in a playoff series.

He's an elite athlete that doesn't have to be at 100% to be very good, but the workload caught up to him for once.
- Al

So True.

I think right now the knee injury will be really something to watch for Keith. One has to wonder how much of it is real injury concern vs Keith just knows he is better off resting it.

Even if Keith isn't 100% he is still better than most D in the league. He delivers when it counts and if I'm not mistaken (I could be remembering wrong) the original knee problem goes back to the 2015 cup run when he won the conn Smyth and then last year, while still not 100% he put up 3 goals, 2 assists and was +3 in his 6 games vs St Louis.

Last season, after coming back from injury, in those 61 games he was about 11th in points per game for Dmen over that stretch. Not bad for playing a shutdown D role with Hjalmarsson most the time.

Everyone has to grow up and mature (hell, I'm thinking about it pretty soon).

Seriously though, he brings something the others youngin's mentioned don't. I'm sure they've been in his ear for a while now, what he has to do to stick.

Hoping he gets it, not saying he's Shaw, but he has the potential to be more than the others.

Also think Hinostroza is going to stick to for some reason.
- vabeachbear

I wish both well....Just repeating what I hear and he is often right about the Hogs.
Last year being stupid cost Hartman ice time.

I have zero problem with that.

I also, in theory, can roll with:

XX-19-88
72-15-XX
XX-16-81


- John Jaeckel

Until we see what some of those XX's can do this is probably the safest lineup as far as making sure there are two experienced players on each line, who we know can play together.

I can't remember, towards the end of the Blues series did Q have Hossa on a line with Panarin at all? I would be curious to see how 72-15-81 look together - I feel like AA can compliment parts of Hossa's cycle game, and maybe Panarin has more luck than Toews in setting Hossa up to actually score.

Apparently, that injury is still with him - 11 months after the procedure, and after a long 5 month off-season.

I fear this will not be resolved soon - lingering effects well into (or thru) the season.
- StLBravesFan

Pretty common for a knee injury to not be 100% for about a year.

If Q goes with two vets per line in the top 9 then I would agree with your choices, at least to start the season.

I thought you were against the idea of Hossa on the third line with Kruger?
- DarthKane

Not "against" per se.

Hey, if they had a Loui Eriksson or another quality scoring RW to play in the Top 6, by all means, bump Hoss down, now you have 3 lines with some threat, good for Kruger's development too.

But they don't have that guy (not to mention the hole on the other side).

Theoretically, the idea of two solid vets in 2 spots on each of the top 3 lines makes some sense. But like I said, on each, it would come down to finding the right third guy and then how much he is ready to step up and play in the NHL in the role assigned. Big questions. But it's the same question really, no matter the lines, right now.

For those of who have a better understanding of talent depth throughout the league, where does the Hawks organization fit in the rankings? For example, the Cubs were poor at the MLB-level and had an atrocious farm system when Epstein took over. Now they are playoff-quality in MLB and they also have a series of prospects that are highly-rated and being moved because they are stacked at MLB.

My fear is that when the "window" expires, you will have some albatross contracts for guys with no wheels (Hossa/Seabrook) and two superstars north of 30 (Toews/Kane) with no talented parts around them. How can Stan keep the team in the "window" while keeping the pipeline stocked? My impression is the pipeline is depleted.
- phantasmo

Bottom 10

Love the blogs JJ, thanks for all you do and I can't wait for the season to begin.

On a somewhat random note, I find it difficult finding fantasy hockey resources. Do you have any that you recommend?
- bigcube75

No, not my thing, thanks for the kind words and welcome.

I would...Babcock knows his resume and his progression.
- Al

Crawford also had many huge games against Detroit when Babs was there.

Still think Hartman is going to be a bigger player for time than most are predicting.
- vabeachbear

Agreed, likely 4th line though

JJ I agree. I would go a step further and say it does not really matter who you put with Toews and Kane as long as they have some hockey skill. The issue is who do you put at 2RW. I don't think you can trust Panarin and Anisimov to carry the line. They must have an adequate winger.
- bhawks2241

A BIG thing Kane and Panarin have is a lot of fast puck movement across the ice. Panarin can score plenty and can make his own chances to a degree but having a playmaker on the other side helps him tremendously. AA is adequate as a C in that regard but I think his best value is doing the muscle work down low and cleaning up slop around the net.

If Schmaltz is really ready to play over 200 feet in the NHL, then opposite Panarin is a nice fit for his skills and a great opportunity for success.

Let's simplify things.
The Hawks were 6th in goals scored. 234
The Hawks were 10th in goals against. 207
The Hawks tied for the 6th best goal differential in the league. 27
The Hawks tied for the 5th best record in the league. 103pts

Barring injury we all expect the goaltending to be about the same, the defense to be a little better, and the offense to be a little worse (though getting more offense from Toews, Hossa and more offense the defense could compensate).

So they still are a very good team. If they can avoid injury and get increased contributions from Kruger, Panik, and have one or two of the younger guys become regular contributors it would make the Hawks even better.

Speaking of injury... If one of their high salaried stars are injured, and the Hawks are able to keep their head above water (as they have in the past when Kane, Keith, Toews, Hossa were injured at different times) it could give them more cap flexibility at the TDL. I am not wishing for an injury, but we have seen how that can work to a team's advantage.

Lace them up boys. It should be fun.
- -Doh-

Break down where they ranked in goals scored 5-on5 versus 5-on-4, 4-on-3, and especially 3-on-3.

Very revealing, and cause for concern because not much has been done to fix this problem.

I think what becomes undeniable, is that you can't win a cup without goaltending getting you over the top. I can't think of a cup winning team that doesn't have to give a ton of credit to their goalie. You need goaltending at the right time.

For the Hawks, it was Neimi in 2010 (specifically against SJ), 2013 Crawford was pretty darn consistent and again in 2015 Darling/Crawford responded against Nashville when needed and then Crow was locked in pretty well.

I think for the Hawks, it comes down to a gamble at one end of the ice or another in regards to how then spend their cash. Right now, the safe bet is to keep Crawford because you know he can backstop a team to the cup.
- breadbag

We now know Niemi can't get a starting job in the league which implies it was the system and the skaters who made him look good in 2010. Didn't they heap the same praise at the beginning of the series on Leighton and look where he is now.

Not the biggest Darling fan but he is much more proven now as a future starter than either Niemi or CC at the start of their Cup winning years. In fact if he was here and brought the same creds to 2010 or 2013 Niemi or CC would never see the ice.

I've grown to like CC a lot - he is sound, reliable and consistent and unshakable. All things he was not, in 2011-2012. But with this mobile defense, if we had another high end puck possessor we can again spend 2/3 of the game in the o-zone which will cut down on goals against.

I firmly believe if there was a market for a 6m/yr Cup winning goalie, he'd be gone by now.

I think what becomes undeniable, is that you can't win a cup without goaltending getting you over the top. I can't think of a cup winning team that doesn't have to give a ton of credit to their goalie. You need goaltending at the right time.

For the Hawks, it was Neimi in 2010 (specifically against SJ), 2013 Crawford was pretty darn consistent and again in 2015 Darling/Crawford responded against Nashville when needed and then Crow was locked in pretty well.

I think for the Hawks, it comes down to a gamble at one end of the ice or another in regards to how then spend their cash. Right now, the safe bet is to keep Crawford because you know he can backstop a team to the cup.
- breadbag

If the Hawks are 10th in the conference February 25th . . .?

Because that is a real possibility without some changes. The West is very good 1-10.

Agreed, I always found the "Detroit - Chris Osgood model" theory rather incorrect.
- DarthKane

Why, because it worked for them?

How many cups has MA Fleury won? Hawks won one with Niemi and Huet. Matt Murray?

Actually, the Detroit goaltending model has worked enough to give it validity.

Agreed, likely 4th line though
- John Jaeckel

Have a strange feeling that Motte is going to be the dark horse player that turns into a nice contributor this year. So going off of JJ's lines which I really liked...

14 19 88
72 15 Schamltz
Motte 16 81
Desi Moose Tootoo

Motte on that 3rd line allows him to get after in a shut down role and doesnt put alot of pressure on him to score right away. Still think Panik is the best choice to play with Towes unless Motte tears it up and Q has no other choice then to move him up.

Actually, the goalie and blue line depth charts are deep and settled and—well—maybe better than they have been in a couple of decades. So what's the problem?

Forward.

Where the Hawks had issues all season last year—one dependable (albeit very good) scoring line, overall weak 5-on-5 production, a glut of natural left wings and a dearth of port-siders.

Obviously not many boaters out there. Port side and left side and the same thing. I know JJ meant glut of RWs.

The defense and goalies should be outstanding this season, but you can only win so many games 2-1 or 3-2. But, I'm not too worried about it. There are going to be opportunities at and around the deadline for Bowman to plunder the bottom feeders of the league looking to get better. The Hawks only need to be one of the top 8 in the conference to make the playoffs, which they are.

Still think Hartman is going to be a bigger player for time than most are predicting.
- vabeachbear

I agree and also believe Lundberg will fit in the mix

I agree and also believe Lundberg will fit in the mix
- oldduffman

Wonder if Hartman and Lundberg claim spots means Desi could be on the way out. TVR/Desi/pick for possible forward help? Between the two thats about 1.6 off the book. Add that to the rough 2.3 we have to spend? For 3.8'ish Im sure we could find a wing to help out.

Break down where they ranked in goals scored 5-on5 versus 5-on-4, 4-on-3, and especially 3-on-3.

Very revealing, and cause for concern because not much has been done to fix this problem.
- John Jaeckel

136 goals 5x5 - 20th in the league.

Also - 17 empty net goals - 7.3% of they're total goals - both 3rd in the league

Wonder if Hartman and Lundberg claim spots means Desi could be on the way out. TVR/Desi/pick for possible forward help? Between the two thats about 1.6 off the book. Add that to the rough 2.3 we have to spend? For 3.8'ish Im sure we could find a wing to help out.
- z1990z

Lundberg-Rasmussen-Hartman

JJ stated last season that Carolina was interested in Desi?

Lundberg-Rasmussen-Hartman

JJ stated last season that Carolina was interested in Desi?
- 93Joe

Camp will tell us. If some of the young guys and newcomers win spots, then Stan may look to deal a vet. Still think we see TVR moved at some point.

Wonder if Hartman and Lundberg claim spots means Desi could be on the way out. TVR/Desi/pick for possible forward help? Between the two thats about 1.6 off the book. Add that to the rough 2.3 we have to spend? For 3.8'ish Im sure we could find a wing to help out.
- z1990z

Anything is possible. But as things stand now the team will have 3 rookie forwards plus Rasmussen who has played only 1/2 and NHL season. I don't know how eager the team would be to trade away another veteran forward. Desjardins had a career high TOI last season, so there must have been something Q liked about him. Plus, a cap hit of $800,000 is very reasonable, there wouldn't be any cap savings by trading him (and TvR) as the replacement would cost just as much, if not more.

I have the opposite opinion of Desjardins, I would like to see him re-signed for one more season.

A BIG thing Kane and Panarin have is a lot of fast puck movement across the ice. Panarin can score plenty and can make his own chances to a degree but having a playmaker on the other side helps him tremendously. AA is adequate as a C in that regard but I think his best value is doing the muscle work down low and cleaning up slop around the net.

If Schmaltz is really ready to play over 200 feet in the NHL, then opposite Panarin is a nice fit for his skills and a great opportunity for success.
- John Jaeckel

Little double edge sword with Panarin though. If he thrives without Kane and has a rookie as his other winger. He will likely price himself out of Chicago.

I think Panik with 19-88 could be good. He can play a similar type roll Bickell did in '13 playoffs with them in the offensive zone but with better speed and less physicality. Retrieve pucks maintain possession and get around the net. Let the franchise boys do their thing. Panik's high-end speed could really open up the ice for 19 and 88 if he uses it to go to the net.

*By thrive I mean as good or better numbers than last year.

Obviously not many boaters out there. Port side and left side and the same thing. I know JJ meant glut of RWs.

The defense and goalies should be outstanding this season, but you can only win so many games 2-1 or 3-2. But, I'm not too worried about it. There are going to be opportunities at and around the deadline for Bowman to plunder the bottom feeders of the league looking to get better. The Hawks only need to be one of the top 8 in the conference to make the playoffs, which they are.
- biskit67

Correct, I actually new that. Just caught up in writing.

Apparently, that injury is still with him - 11 months after the procedure, and after a long 5 month off-season.

I fear this will not be resolved soon - lingering effects well into (or thru) the season.
- StLBravesFan

Or it is an excuse to not play in the fake tourney