market price at the time... also, stamkos has three less cups than 88 & 19.
- RedFeather

No State Income Tax in Florida helps
Stamkos effectively makes the same as a 10 million dollar player outside Florida

Two players making 30% of the Cap is troublesome
Hawk management gambled on the Cap rising faster that it has ....big mistake

So after seeing what Stamkos and others have signed for and the cap staying put do you think Toews and Kane would still get the same contracts if signed today?
- waitforawhistle

Probably not but the benefit of time and hindsight is the difference here. Stamkos had it, the Dynamic Duo didn't.

Not saying you but anytime I see a side by side comparison and proclamation that 91 is the greater team guy for taking less money, it's just not correct.

He may actually be, I don't know, but not because of a contract he signed 2 years after 88 and 19 did.

Many people panicking way too soon.

It was the first game. There will be growing pains for these younger guys and they need to develop chemistry and a game at the NHL level. Fans need to understand that.

That said, I thought Motte and Hartmean looked really good. Vinnie H brought speed and Forsling looked comfortable on the blueline.

All the young guys had energy--which was nice to see.

Not saying the youth movement is a great idea , but again what do you do in a stagnant cap ERA .And it will not just be the HAWKS who are filling holes with young players . I would rather have young players who Will show improvement ,then tired Vets playing out the string .Even with these young kids they hung with ST.L(3pp 2en ) ,they had a bad 2nd ,they did that last year all the time .And really the 2nd totally turned on 2 vets taking bad penalty.

-I agree JVR look lost
- Don't talk bad about soupy, I took a beating last week for that
-Hated the tootoo signing
-I keep waiting for the real Toews to appear
- waitforawhistle

Reply below was posted just as JJ put up his new blog. Regarding the bolded:

Toews looks physically sick to me. Anyone see any of his recent interview clips? Face looks drawn (sallow). He's either lost weight on purpose (puzzling) or there's something else going on.

He appears to be no stronger, no faster than last year. There is no appreciable difference in shot strength or stickhandling or faceoffs. In fact, he seemed to lose a lot of the important draws (I lost count of the PP draws in Blues zone that were lost and subsequently cleared).

You know Bogie, everyone puts it on Hossa's age/declining skills (I don't see much of that) and on revolving wing. OTOH, for years Kane has had to drag around various players. Yet there are always these excuses for Toews. He's making $10.4M. If you are giving a player that much dough, I think you would expect they'd perform regardless.

I'm not saying Toews is a bad player by any stretch but am questioning what the guy did (at least this past off-season when all we saw were pics of him wakeboarding or rock climbing or cliff diving etc etc) to get ready for the season. If anything, playing in the WCOH should have given him (and the others that played) a leg-up on the rest of the league that did not by having to play/compete against the best players in a tournament.

Folks are talking about Anisimov's PK penalty (slash on the hands) that put us 2 down. Why not talk about Toews ill-timed INITIAL penalty that led to having to go on the PK? I know for many, Toews is above reproach. However, when you are making the most coin in the league, I would expect more. I'll sit back and wait for the flaming to begin.

On another topic (our D), Seabrook looks like he's worked in the off-season to drop weight (looks a lot more svelte and ready to go) and improve his foot speed. He looked mighty good to me. And TVR . . . well, once again, he showed that in spite of his thinking the game fine, his physical limitations of limited mobility and foot speed (like Pokka) are going to likely see him traded before trade deadline. Compared to Kempny or Forsling, TVR is only 1 notch above the 3 wheeled shopping cart when it comes to skating, speed and mobility.

>End rant . . . pulls on flameproof gear and waits for the fallout to begin

Team needs a 10-15 game run to see what they got. After that the writing (either way) may be on the wall.

No State Income Tax in Florida helps
Stamkos effectively makes the same as a 10 million dollar player outside Florida

Two players making 30% of the Cap is troublesome
Hawk management gambled on the Cap rising faster that it has ....big mistake
- Colbyboy

I completely agree. The hawks gambled that the cap would go up and lost. If the cap had gone up 5 - 6 million since the signing it wouldn't seem so bad.

Not saying the youth movement is a great idea , but again what do you do in a stagnant cap ERA .And it will not just be the HAWKS who are filling holes with young players . I would rather have young players who Will show improvement ,then tired Vets playing out the string .Even with these young kids they hung with ST.L(3pp 2en ) ,they had a bad 2nd ,they did that last year all the time .And really the 2nd totally turned on 2 vets taking bad penalty.
- oldduffman

Agree. It may take a while and the youth movement is what it is...I think in the long run it's a good thing as I don't believe this is the final year that the window is open for this team's championship aspirations.

The two biggest disappointments for me last night are still TVR and AA. I didn't like seeing AA going out there with Hossa to kill the penalty and then he made a bad situation worse with that hooking penalty to put the team down 5-3. He was 29% at the dot and aside from Seabrook sending him on a partial breakaway he did pretty much nothing. Kane/Panarin didn't really get much going either until the forward lines started to change.

TVR was just really off last night. No nice way to say it.

Guys, you can take the easy out and dump on the rookies playing in their first NHL game, when are probably overwhelmed nervous and trying to do too much, but the core wasn't good overall until they started to try and press late. They need to fix the top two lines still, it isn't working. PAK line generates some but gives up too many good chances the other way. Panik Toews Hossa were okay, but Panik doesn't seem to have the skill. The 3rd line was one of the better lines at even strength, they need to keep that one together and see if they can really gain some chemistry.

Karma was awful from the hop with the botched anthem audio.
TVR"s luggage plain and simple.
Crow with no chance on first two due to Soupy and Seabs screens.
Still, nobody willing to lay out and block a shot.
2 penalties on Toews and Anisimov were HORRRRRRRRRRRIBLE calls.
Game swung on those calls.
Kane and Toews were virtually invisible.

Agree. It may take a while and the youth movement is what it is...I think in the long run it's a good thing as I don't believe this is the final year that the window is open for this team's championship aspirations.
- HawkintheD

It may not (or may) be. The Hawks STILL have impending cap issues no matter how good (or bad) this year goes. I think if the team looks like they are out of gas, getting too old, not enough good parts then a trade of Panarin is the only result. IF the team looks like they can continue to compete at the very top levels then you try to get him resigned.

There are some teams with a bunch of incredible young talent on the rise and holding them off with 5 elite players and a bunch of guys won't be possible.

Many people panicking way too soon.

It was the first game. There will be growing pains for these younger guys and they need to develop chemistry and a game at the NHL level. Fans need to understand that.

That said, I thought Motte and Hartmean looked really good. Vinnie H brought speed and Forsling looked comfortable on the blueline.

All the young guys had energy--which was nice to see.
- Hank3Henshaw

not panic....i saw what i expected...lets see replaced sharp, saad, TT, "playoff bicks", shaw = hartman, mott, panik, hinostra, and a geen puppy named smaltz

its going to take a while but 1st few weeks look like rough going to me

Agreed.

And based on JUST ONE GAME (sort of, because last night was a continuation of the preseason):

Motte and Hartman, fine

Forsling, boom or bust, if it were up to me, I'd keep playing him and sit TVR

Schmaltz, not ready, he is obviously a top 6 style player, does not fit in a checking role, not ready for top 6 in the NHL

Hinostroza, yeah, ok whatever, he's fine as a 4th line energy player

I think the larger questions are: TVR or Forsling, and do you tinker with moving Motte up and Panik down (eventually), Panrin with Toews? Kane with Toews?
- John Jaeckel

Pretty much exactly this. That 3rd line looked good with the 2 kids on it. Toews looked like he was trying to be the lone man on his line. Hossa played better than him IMO. Second line was held in check very well, which is why I feel Panarin needs to be 1LW. Maybe give Schmaltz a shot on 2LW. He's not a 4th line guy. Playing him there wont do much for him or his confidence. Put Rasmussen in. Hino was fast, but that's about it. Bench tootoo. Seabs was our best D-man last night. TVR should be 7th D.

Bread-Toews-Hossa
Schamltz(tryout)/Panik-AA-Kane
Motte-Krugs-Hartman
Desi-Moose-Hino/Panik

Keith-Hammer
Seabs-Kempny
Forsling/TVR-Soupy

It may not (or may) be. The Hawks STILL have impending cap issues no matter how good (or bad) this year goes. I think if the team looks like they are out of gas, getting too old, not enough good parts then a trade of Panarin is the only result. IF the team looks like they can continue to compete at the very top levels then you try to get him resigned.

There are some teams with a bunch of incredible young talent on the rise and holding them off with 5 elite players and a bunch of guys won't be possible.
- kwolf68

Don't disagree but mostly my comment was pointed at going with some young guys vs 2016 versions of Andrew Brunette, Feranando Pisani, etc.

Time will tell of course but I just don't think the team is done competing for championships and am not ready to stick the fork in them after one game.

Like you said, 10-15 games should give a fairly accurate appraisal either way.

Schmaltz should go back to North Dakota after that effort last night. No conditioning, a low compete level, and pretty blah with the puck on his stick. TVR must be feeling the pressure from Forsling bc that was the worst game I've seen him play in a while. Hinostroza has speed and was a factor on the forecheck at times, but I'd scrap the entire 4th line before tomorrow's game. Tootoo is what I expected, a goon that can't keep up anymore.


Kempy+ Seabrook is a 2nd pair I'd like to see kept together. Both are big boys that can move the puck, play solid Defense, and jump in on the offense. Forsling is still adjusting to the pace and puck pressure, but his vision, hands, and composure are evident. One play where he skated himself out of trouble from behind his own net was a veteran type of play.

BreadMan-Toews-Hossa
Motte-Anisimov-Kane
Panik-Kruger-Hartman
Hino-Rasmussen-Lundberg?

Keith-Hammer
Kempny-Seabs
Forsling-Campbell


One game and the Hawks were leading before the Zebra's lost their mind and called 5 straight penalties on the Hawks....

Don't disagree but mostly my comment was pointed at going with some young guys vs 2016 versions of Andrew Brunette, Feranando Pisani, etc.

Time will tell of course but I just don't think the team is done competing for championships and am not ready to stick the fork in them after one game.

Like you said, 10-15 games should give a fairly accurate appraisal either way.
- HawkintheD

Oh yea, I'd rather have kids than proven-to-be washed up vets (you can tell Motte belongs so that's one nice player). The fact is the Hawks system is now barren, the team is aging, and the competition is getting better, much better. I think we're looking at 2 more years...I'd like to think and believe they can compete with the top teams for the next two years and still think this season will round into shape.

EKB13

But that's what John just posted in this blog.

"But the "delusion" that this team as currently composed merits consideration as a Cup contender should be over this morning."

Hey I would love not to have to dress 6 rookies on opening night & Chicago won't be soon enough. Forsling won't be staying, 9 games tops. Schmaltz will end up in the AHL, Rasmussen will end up as the #4 C I assume & when Desjardins returns in another 10 games or so he will help the 4th line.

Chicago isn't a guaranteed cup winner no 1 is but they are certainly on my list of possibles as essentially constructed just not with the line up & players dressed last night. I don't even judge teams for the 1st 10 games. Then I take a snap shot. Even then until the last team in the league plays it's 25th game & the grind & injuries set in all you have to do is stay in the hunt. It's those last 55 games that decide who's going some where & who isn't.

Schmaltz should go back to North Dakota after that effort last night. No conditioning, a low compete level, and pretty blah with the puck on his stick. TVR must be feeling the pressure from Forsling bc that was the worst game I've seen him play in a while. Hinostroza has speed and was a factor on the forecheck at times, but I'd scrap the entire 4th line before tomorrow's game. Tootoo is what I expected, a goon that can't keep up anymore.


Kempy+ Seabrook is a 2nd pair I'd like to see kept together. Both are big boys that can move the puck, play solid Defense, and jump in on the offense. Forsling is still adjusting to the pace and puck pressure, but his vision, hands, and composure are evident. One play where he skated himself out of trouble from behind his own net was a veteran type of play.

BreadMan-Toews-Hossa
Motte-Anisimov-Kane
Panik-Kruger-Hartman
Hino-Rasmussen-Lundberg?

Keith-Hammer
Kempny-Seabs
Forsling-Campbell


One game and the Hawks were leading before the Zebra's lost their mind and called 5 straight penalties on the Hawks....
- EnzoD

Kempney-Seabrook were by far the best pair last night. Not that they didn't make mistakes... Seabrook had a couple bad pinches and Kempney nearly cost a goal when he assumed the puck was leaving the zone and just starting heading up ice leaving the Blues a clear path to the net. They were great together.

I liked Kempny last night, he played well liked his toughness, I also liked Forsling, loved how he skated the puck out of his own end several times, good stick, willing to engage and block shots, I'd like to see him and Campbell as the 3rd pairing.

3rd line was decent, Hartman has got to work on his stick and holding onto it.

Panarin drove me crazy losing the puck at the blue line several times

I wish the refs would call more interference penalties on this so called man to man defense.

To many unchallenged offensive entries by the Blues last night as well.

Schmaltz should go back to North Dakota after that effort last night. No conditioning, a low compete level, and pretty blah with the puck on his stick.
- EnzoD

He can't. Players who sign a contract can't go back to the NCAA to participate. Schmaltz has to go to Rockford.

He can't. Players who sign a contract can't go back to the NCAA to participate. Schmaltz has to go to Rockford.
- EKB13

Ya I was just being dramatic. I absolutely hated his effort last night. For his first NHL game, it looked like he didn't give a frank and was just going through the motions. Maybe try him on the wing with Moose+Hino tomorrow? It's clear he cannot physically handle the load of a Center in the NHL right now.

Forsling, boom or bust, if it were up to me, I'd keep playing him and sit TVR

Schmaltz, not ready, he is obviously a top 6 style player, does not fit in a checking role, not ready for top 6 in the NHL

JJ, For comparison purposes, do you consider Lehtera a top 6 forward?

I think it will be interesting to see in the next couple of years how Schmaltz is viewed compared to say how TT was viewed.

Schmaltz should go back to North Dakota after that effort last night. No conditioning, a low compete level, and pretty blah with the puck on his stick. TVR must be feeling the pressure from Forsling bc that was the worst game I've seen him play in a while. Hinostroza has speed and was a factor on the forecheck at times, but I'd scrap the entire 4th line before tomorrow's game. Tootoo is what I expected, a goon that can't keep up anymore.


Kempy+ Seabrook is a 2nd pair I'd like to see kept together. Both are big boys that can move the puck, play solid Defense, and jump in on the offense. Forsling is still adjusting to the pace and puck pressure, but his vision, hands, and composure are evident. One play where he skated himself out of trouble from behind his own net was a veteran type of play.

BreadMan-Toews-Hossa
Motte-Anisimov-Kane
Panik-Kruger-Hartman
Hino-Rasmussen-Lundberg?

Keith-Hammer
Kempny-Seabs
Forsling-Campbell


One game and the Hawks were leading before the Zebra's lost their mind and called 5 straight penalties on the Hawks....
- EnzoD

Was thinking something similar and would take it a step further to suggest that was TVR's absolute worst game in a Hawk sweater.

Sample size of one, move on. I like what you did with the lines though on D how about Seabs with Keith and Kempny with Hammer?

What did I expect??? Just what you delivered.

Listen ..... the Hawks took a sequence of penalties and the Blues cashed in on 3 of them. After 57 minutes the Hawks were down a goal. Then StL scored two empty net goals. The over hyped 5v5 scoring - Hawks 0 StL 0. The kids did ok. The vets did ok. The team did ok. We have higher expectations than ok. I get it.

Let's give Q and the players a few practices, a few games, a few different line/pairing combinations to figure things out.

I thought Kempny and Motte had nice games. TVR not so much. But it was just one game.

Quick hits from the Hawks side of things after last night.

JVR is terrible and clearly picked/ focused on
Cambell looks slow
Tootoo was a ghost, not surprising
Toews looks like hes lost a step or jump, maybe just this game
Bot 6 are going to get the top 6 worn out by the allstar break
- Gerk

Yes sir!
I been following this team since the mid 60's, no apologist talk here! Bottom line, sellers at the deadline, and we're gettin a lotto ball pick next spring, perfect for Uncle Johns PR machine, just like that Red Carpet bullpoop yesterday! Sorry Boys!