Ben Smith is on waivers today. PK help from the waiver wire?

Agreed DK
What I should have said is I don't like what Kruger is being paid for what he brings. Danault is being paid $912,000!
- Colbyboy

Kruger's deal is an IOU. He was a loyal soldier on that one year deal. If the front office screwed him on the next renewal, that would send a bad message to anybody who was thinking of staying here or coming here from elsewhere.

In the event that Schmaltz is not ready to be 3C this season and goes to the AHL, what are our options? Kruger at 3C and Rassmussen at 4C?

The fourth line has been good as currently composed so don't love the idea of breaking them up but we don't have much to trade for a 3C...
- BlackhawkDown

Vermette at $1.75m this year and next? Good at the dot, familiar with the system. Can play wing too. Ducks slow out of the gate, might want to go a different direction with the season.

Gotta win some games during this assessment period and see enough to invest in some veterans for the rest of the season. Nice to see Panik match last season's totals in 1/5 of the number of games but it's hard to believe he can keep it up all year (but I hope so.) Interested to see what Stan and the FO do before the holidays with this roster.

Would have been nice to still have Danault, but it would have taken him some time to get acclimated fully to a Kruger-type role. Sure he would have been cheaper, but he is not at Kruger's two way play level yet.

Ben Smith is on waivers today. PK help from the waiver wire?
- ikeane

Good idea but I would pass. I think Smith is past his time and will likely ride out the end of his hockey career in the AHL.

I think a change wouldn't be a bad idea but I would look to bring up Kero or Lundberg from Rockford.

Agreed DK
What I should have said is I don't like what Kruger is being paid for what he brings. Danault is being paid $912,000!
- Colbyboy

Fair enough, but I disagree. Kruger is a vital member of the team, especially come playoff time.

How has Lundberg looked in Rockford? Is he adjusting to North American play ok?

I thought he might have had the inside track to a bottom 6 role due to his pro experience but didn't show much in camp.

Vermette at $1.75m this year and next? Good at the dot, familiar with the system. Can play wing too. Ducks slow out of the gate, might want to go a different direction with the season.
- matt_ahrens

People need to move on from Vermette - he was barely a 3C in 2015 and his underlying numbers have only gotten worse. And Q did not like something about him defensively - he played TT more on the PK and in the DZ than he did Vermette (not arguing TT was good or better there, just that Q trusted him more). He might be able to do well in a OZ central role with two guys who can transition (because he's bad at it now), but he's not worth his current contract.

And again, all research has shown that faceoff have a minimal impact on possession (which is partially why Vermette hasn't been good in terms of possession in general despite his faceoff prowess). Like sub 40% FO sucks, but they can all be ~alright, even AA.

good game last night would've liked to see the leafs with the two points. but still you guys didn't quit and deserve the points. really wish the leafs didn't give up on panik,

PK is awful since TT has been traded

Good idea but I would pass. I think Smith is past his time and will likely ride out the end of his hockey career in the AHL.

I think a change wouldn't be a bad idea but I would look to bring up Kero or Lundberg from Rockford.
- DarthKane

It's a shame that the concussion robbed him of probably the rest of his NHL career. He always gave it 110% out there.

PK is awful since TT has been traded
- vabeachbear

I'd say the downward trend began with the departure of Oduya, in all seriousness.

I'd say the downward trend began with the departure of Oduya, in all seriousness.
- 333inthe3rd

Oduya wasn't here last year, and it was much much better last year, especially once Kruger returned from injury.

Just sayin'

Fair enough, but I disagree. Kruger is a vital member of the team, especially come playoff time.
- DarthKane

I will let it go
Still rather Danault over Kruger especially given the Cap Hit. In this league there is no longer Cap Room to coats until April at playoff time. That is "If there are playoffs this year"

Oduya wasn't here last year, and it was much much better last year, especially once Kruger returned from injury.

Just sayin'
- vabeachbear

Last year wasn't as good as 2015, though. When 4 and 27 were out there, it was pretty easy to feel confident. His absence creates a bigger load for the remaining D's. Agreed that the implosion this season is for a bigger reason, but the loss of Oduya was the first brick removed.

Edit: I should add that it's possible that the loss of Desi is affecting the PK implosion this year, also. It's not just about what he does, but he relieves some of the burden from other forwards of more hard minutes spent killing penalties.

Oduya wasn't here last year, and it was much much better last year, especially once Kruger returned from injury.

Just sayin'
- vabeachbear

Actually, the shots and shot attempts against were not good on the PK last year. Crawford just stood on his head a lot and/or he was seeing the shots better (he and Darling have been screened a lot on the PK).

I think Panik has proven himself to be a top 6 caliber winger in this league, at least IMO.

The way i see it, he's been playing a top 6 role on this team for around 20-25 straight games going back to last years playoffs and the end of the regular season. And in EVERY SINGLE ONE of those games he's been one of the if not the most noticeable forward we have, constantly involved with/creating scoring chances(especially in that 7 game series against the Blues i thought he was very impressive). And that's as part of a top 6 that includes stars like Kane, Toews, Panarin, Hossa....and yet Panik has stood out just as much as any of them. Speed, skill, physicality, and net front presence.

I don't see that changing, i think this is who he is. A very legit 25g/50pt caliber top 6 winger(yes, i know he's currently shooting 66%, but still...). If anything he will only improve going forward.

I'm not buying the "he's a glorified 3rd liner" concept any longer. I've seen enough. He's the real deal. And we got him for Morin.

Double post

The Hawks coaches have forgotten more about hockey than most fans (myself included) will ever know. And they have their eyes on Schmaltz every day in a lot of situations. So their judgement today—and say 2-3 weeks from now should Schmaltz also be sent down—should be trusted.

As I've been saying, this is a process.


Solid thoughts JJ but the above sticks out most to me.

Q, StanBow and the scouts didn't get dumb all of a sudden and I'm one who was pissed how the roster was handled from the TDL through Game 7 at STL last year. Their success no matter the reasons can't be denied but that doesn't mean a fan should allow them to rest on their laurels. ..... I agree, let these guys work the roster and trust the process.

The process: We all thought that our D and Crow was the strong suit and so far that's been dead wrong. We all thought they wouldn't score but have been dead wrong. Most thought no way Panik would fill the 1LW slot. He and AA lead this team in points. Few if any had Forsling making the roster. He's playing well enough to warrant 2 unit PP and PK minutes on a defense that the core is the envy of most.

Motte is averaging 14:00 per game up and down the lineup. Hartman seems to have avoided dumb penalties and hasn't looked out of place. Q scratched Rasmussen the first couple game and he drew in due to injury and now Q speaks well of him. Hossa hasn't lost anything and has been moved up and down the lineup.

The process has shown a lot of surprises both good and bad. I'd argue mostly good cuz the PK will improve and Crow's numbers at year's end will be near the top. Of all forwards Desi logged the 2nd most PK minutes last year. He'll be back and my guess is Schmaltz goes down to get minutes unless he improves a good bit and soon. Little use in him being up getting 9 minutes like last night.

Reasonably speaking I like the process and results so far and trust the people in charge of it. I'm willing to be patient and let it play out and don't feel I'm whistling past the graveyard doing so.

TOR looked good last night. CLB went into DAL and shut out the most high flying team in the league and NSH clobbered the champs 5-1 last night on the road with the flu bug running through the locker room.

I think Panik has proven himself to be a top 6 caliber winger in this league, at least IMO.

The way i see it, he's been playing a top 6 role on this team for around 20-25 straight games going back to last years playoffs and the end of the regular season. And in EVERY SINGLE ONE of those games he's been one of the if not the most noticeable forward we have, constantly involved with/creating scoring chances(especially in that 7 game series against the Blues i thought he was very impressive). And that's as part of a top 6 that includes stars like Kane, Toews, Panarin, Hossa....and yet Panik has stood out just as much as any of them. Speed, skill, physicality, and net front presence.

I don't see that changing, i think this is who he is. A very legit 25g/50pt caliber top 6 winger(yes, i know he's currently shooting 66%, but still...). If anything he will only improve going forward.

I'm not buying the "he's a glorified 3rd liner" concept any longer. I've seen enough. He's the real deal. And we got him for Morin.
- SimpleJack

I've been a Panik guy since Day 1 and agree with a lot of your post. BUT it's consistency that will be the measure of Panik. IF he becomes consistent IMO it's reasonable to see him in the 50 point range and bring a physical net front presence. He's only 25 with 190 NHL games under his belt with coaches who never thought much of him. As you point out he's produced when given a chance, due to lack of options, as a Hawk.

Time will tell but IMO so far so good.

I've been a Panik guy since Day 1 and agree with a lot of your post. BUT it's consistency that will be the measure of Panik. IF he becomes consistent IMO it's reasonable to see him in the 50 point range and bring a physical net front presence. He's only 25 with 190 NHL games under his belt with coaches who never thought much of him. As you point out he's produced when given a chance, due to lack of options, as a Hawk.

Time will tell but IMO so far so good.
- Mr Ricochet

As i said i am bummed that toronto gave up on him

People need to move on from Vermette - he was barely a 3C in 2015 and his underlying numbers have only gotten worse. And Q did not like something about him defensively - he played TT more on the PK and in the DZ than he did Vermette (not arguing TT was good or better there, just that Q trusted him more). He might be able to do well in a OZ central role with two guys who can transition (because he's bad at it now), but he's not worth his current contract.

And again, all research has shown that faceoff have a minimal impact on possession (which is partially why Vermette hasn't been good in terms of possession in general despite his faceoff prowess). Like sub 40% FO sucks, but they can all be ~alright, even AA.
- L_B_R

Of all stats I still can't wrap my head around. If I get the puck it means little in terms of possession following the face off win. I'm not questioning you LBR as I've read this stat but still, so hard to understand. ........ Does it show that dogged pursuit and taking away time, space and options equals winning the face off?

Schmaltz and Forsling have high end skill but they still are up and down when dealing with the pace and physicality of the NHL. All things considered, they look like they will be ready to contribute this season if Q can stomach the growing pains. Schmaltz has improved every game,IMO, and Q trusts Forsling more through 6 games than he ever did Leddy....that should tell us all something about his upside. Also, I hope the Anisimov bashing stops...he is an excellent 200 foot Center with size and offensive ability. He is a great value at $4.25mil.

As i said i am bummed that toronto gave up on him
- Mandree85

IMHO Babcock and management had a process to secure drafting Matthews last year while implementing Babcock's systems and culture. Winning wasn't #'s 1-2 or 3 last year. Besides they have Komorov, more proven, to fill that role.

I really liked the structure and maturity, for the most part, of the Leafs last night. Really solid down the middle with Bozak, Matthews, Kadri, Holland allowing prospects Marner and Nylander to fit in without being overwhelmed.