True and that's what happens with no Toews...AA 5 for 22, Kruger 5 for 16, Vinnie 3 for 15. As a team 17 for 67.

If the Hawks had any Cap room Vermy would look good as a 3rd or 4th line center. His cap hit wasn't as bad as I thought at only 1.75.

That said, I'm glad they went with the yutes this year over retreads and like someone was saying, it's working out ok now and would seem to bode well for the future.
- HawkintheD

Hey D, happy holidays sir. I think the F/O thing is a concern when you get to the dance. The Ducks are really deep at center no question. And Vermette would have been a real nice add.

But as I've mentioned the kids have been solid and its just going to take time for them to get up to speed. Two really good chances in the game against the Sharks the other night and Hino and Motte couldn't finish - later in the season one or both go in. What's been most impressive is the kids are backchecking and coming back to help on defense. Hope they pull one more win out tonight to finish the trip on a positive note.

I thought Keith had one of his better games last night ,along with Kane . I to have liked all the young players efforts so far ,Hinostrozo surprise me every night , he still has a way's to go, but man he is fast . .Hartman has been very good ,and held is cool very well , but you have to think he will lose it at some point ,we all do . Let's hope it is at a appropriate so be it time and on a real D/bag , it may send a little message if does ok .

Believe the boy's will give a real good push tonight ,then a nice plane ride home and a little rest and home cooking .Speed kills and the HAWKS have plenty to spare ....GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonder if Foley would have "found" the time to share that stat if he was doing the game with Eddie O?........ Yea I heard that too. Stuff that makes you shake your head. And this happens when you have 55-60% of the cap hit on the ice!!
- Mr Ricochet

Ya It seems they all are trying to do to much .. Got to slow it down and let the game come to them , and they will .

Hey D, happy holidays sir. I think the F/O thing is a concern when you get to the dance. The Ducks are really deep at center no question. And Vermette would have been a real nice add.

But as I've mentioned the kids have been solid and its just going to take time for them to get up to speed. Two really good chances in the game against the Sharks the other night and Hino and Motte couldn't finish - later in the season one or both go in. What's been most impressive is the kids are backchecking and coming back to help on defense. Hope they pull one more win out tonight to finish the trip on a positive note.
- DK002

Good afternoon DK, happy holidays to you too!

Hartman also just missed one vs SJ putting it off the crossbar. 4-3 for the trip sounds good to me.

Like what I see from the Kids more and more every game
Forsling,Motte,Hino, Hartman and Shmaltz
Love
1. Their Energy
2. There is no book on their moves around the league as yet so they actually beat Defenceman one on one.

Starting to See Toews as a second line Center. 20 Goals/ 60 points . Good on draws and good on the Pk.
Future for the Hawks may lie finding in a first line centre in Russia or luck out in the Draft.
I know ......easier said than done.

Thinking the Sedin's maybe rentals at the deadline.
Saw the Hawks won 27% of the draws yesterday. Looked to me like they lost every one.

Like what I see from the Kids more and more every game
Forsling,Motte,Hino, Hartman and Shmaltz
Love
1. Their Energy
2. There is no book on their moves around the league as yet so they actually beat Defenceman one on one.

Starting to See Toews as a second line Center. 20 Goals/ 60 points . Good on draws and good on the Pk.
Future for the Hawks may lie finding in a first line centre in Russia or luck out in the Draft.
I know ......easier said than done.

Thinking the Sedin's maybe rentals at the deadline.
Saw the Hawks won 27% of the draws yesterday. Looked to me like they lost every one.
- Colbyboy

Only 8 Centers last year exceeded 70 points and only 19 of them hit 60 points. Toews has slumped with scoring, but he isn't a second line C.

Only 8 Centers last year exceeded 70 points and only 19 of them hit 60 points. Toews has slumped with scoring, but he isn't a second line C.
- breadbag

The clear reason Toews can't be a number 2 (or lower) center?

It may be decades before the Hawks acquire a center equal to, or better...

Regardless of any perceived, or real deficiencies (like scoring) Jon will remain #1 for years to come (barring injuries).

Toews is more like a 3C if you ask me. Let's not overrate him by giving him the 2C label just yet...

Shots against continue to climb upward from 27.8 in 2013, to 30.8 season to date.

Ask Brian Elliot how he is doing in OTT in the svpct department versus last year in STL.

Any goalie's weaknesses are bound to be more visible when you see 30+ shots every night. Especially when your D can't clear a puck for :45 to over 1:00 at a time.

Toews is more like a 3C if you ask me. Let's not overrate him by giving him the 2C label just yet...
- SimpleJack

3C for who? Not on a good team.

3C for who? Not on a good team.
- HawkintheD

You're right. He's more like a glorified 3C for a bad team, 4C for a good team.

Question: What are your thoughts on the team if Crawford went down for a few weeks or a season ender? Do we resemble Montreal when Price went down and wait until next year? Or does/can Darling carry the team? There was some talk about trading Crawford before the season for cap space believing that Darling could carry the team. IMO, Crawford is the MVP of this team so far. He keeps us in most every game. Could we count on Darling to continue to be a solid backstop or does the amount of games/pressure get to him? I know we'll never know unless something bad happens and I don't ever wish to find out. Just curious what you experts believe.

You're right. He's more like a glorified 3C for a bad team, 4C for a good team.
- SimpleJack

Why so negative Jack? You're generally Mr. Optimism and I'm the one singin' the blues.

Why so negative Jack? You're generally Mr. Optimism and I'm the one singin' the blues.
- ArlingtonRob

Nothing wrong over here, happy as a lark. Yay go team!

Any word yet on whether or not our 2C is returning to the lineup? Or just like last game are we going to have to prove again that we're better without him??

Shots against continue to climb upward from 27.8 in 2013, to 30.8 season to date.

Ask Brian Elliot how he is doing in OTT in the svpct department versus last year in STL.

Any goalie's weaknesses are bound to be more visible when you see 30+ shots every night. Especially when your D can't clear a puck for :45 to over 1:00 at a time.
- Return of the Roar

Not to nit pick, but isn't Elliott in Calgary.

Honestly if the Hawks make the opponent play half the ice with no rebound opportunities or breakaways, I'll take the Hawks to win 10 out of 10 times even if you tell me the opponent will get 40 shots on net.

We are really fortunate to have such a highly skilled and likable hockey team to follow day in and day out.
- -Doh-

Agree! Hawks' skills, personalities, never-quit attitude, success and (recent) infusion of youth make them tremendously likable. We Chicago fans are so lucky, since the same can be said about the Cubs. Each team is a lot of fun to follow.

Nothing wrong over here, happy as a lark. Yay go team!

Any word yet on whether or not our 2C is returning to the lineup? Or just like last game are we going to have to prove again that we're better without him??
- SimpleJack

Harsh...

Agree! Hawks' skills, personalities, never-quit attitude, success and (recent) infusion of youth make them tremendously likable. We Chicago fans are so lucky, since the same can be said about the Cubs. Each team is a lot of fun to follow.
- BMWChiFan

Bears?

Well that's an interesting start.

Hmmm...interesting call.

Bullet dodged for the moment.

Now that was a great redirect...

...and another penalty.

They keep saying the hawks only have 1shot but didnt schmaltz put one into the goalies chest

They keep saying the hawks only have 1shot but didnt schmaltz put one into the goalies chest
- waitforawhistle

Hawks had only 8 SAT - 5 in the last two minutes.

The Schmaltz shot was apparently blocked.

They keep saying the hawks only have 1shot but didnt schmaltz put one into the goalies chest
- waitforawhistle

I'm sitting right behind where he shot it from and it went right into the goalies chest. Didn't look wide to me. Definitely wasn't blocked. Oh well, it was fun having one shot and one goal!

Could see that one coming...

Who says losing draws is no big deal?