He's been pretty good for us. He's not one of the problems on D.
- BravePackCats27

I always thought Yandle was a decent player, but he made my enemies list with his ridiculous cheap shot of Panarin last year. It was simply luck Panarin wasn't serioulsy injured, and true to form, Yandle's open ice hack on a defenseless player AFTER he scored didn't warrant even a single peep from the Department of Player "Safety."

Hey, I see Maxime Fortier is leading the QHL in scoring. I got a feeling this young man is going to be called before the playoffs start in April.

I think I have seen some good improvement in #8's jump, on ice confidence and playing quicker in the last few games; after all he is only 20 games into his NHL career and really should have been learning for awhile at a one level below the big show.

100% agree on not shooting enough (or at all) - if he would set a target of 3 SOG per game that would work out to approx. 200 in a season which might net him 15 goals. Holding onto the puck forever looking to make the perfect pass won't create any of the scoring this team is so short of.
- RickJ

Agreed. As you know Rick, if 8 would just shoot the puck every so often on those odd-man rushes, D would have to respect his shot more and better passing lanes would open up. Not sure if you've been watching the Oil as much as I have this year (basically every game they've played lol), but same could be said for McDavid on their PP. I have not seen him even attempt a SOG from the Right Hash. He is almost only looking to pass on their PP and while he is skilled enough to get them through, he could probably pot 50 goals/year without breaking a sweat if he shot more on the PP, and in general. McDavid is just a blast to watch every shift. Still can't wrap my head around Hall for Larsson, though. Larsson just does not bring enough to the table to make that trade close to even, IMO.

A few areas where the Hawks as a team lag behind the league right now...

FO - down to 29th overall.
FO in the ozone - Dead last in this regard. 44.5% when getting a chance to setup and attack.

Hawks are actually better than average in the dzone draws and average in the neutral zone.

Hawks are 29th in total hits (1 more than Minny, but also played more games, so basically the lowest hitting team)

Hawks are basically even in terms of penalties take and drawn.

My wishlist for the Hawks right now would be a solid defensive C and another physical winger that can stir things up a little bit and lay some hits. AA is 56-95 at the dot in the ozone, which I'd have to think is a bigger impact than average considering what his linemates can do when they get possession in the ozone. (better than the average line with the puck) Also, just someone that can take draws instead of Schmaltz and Hinostroza. Maybe more draws for Rasmussen.

The Hawks are a puck possession team and while draws aren't everything, they are much better when they have the puck and get the other team chasing. It would be different if the Hawks were a tough fore-checking team, but they really aren't. One thing I've heard from fans who watch other teams, just how ineffective the Hawks seems to be on the fore-check. I can't say I disagree.

Agreed. As you know Rick, if 8 would just shoot the puck every so often on those odd-man rushes, D would have to respect his shot more and better passing lanes would open up. Not sure if you've been watching the Oil as much as I have this year (basically every game they've played lol), but same could be said for McDavid on their PP. I have not seen him even attempt a SOG from the Right Hash. He is almost only looking to pass on their PP and while he is skilled enough to get them through, he could probably pot 50 goals/year without breaking a sweat if he shot more on the PP, and in general. McDavid is just a blast to watch every shift. Still can't wrap my head around Hall for Larsson, though. Larsson just does not bring enough to the table to make that trade close to even, IMO.
- EnzoD

I think #8 will get better too once he fills out his frame more. I would have him doing whatever Hossa does to get that power in his legs.

Edit: Also, Hall for Larsson, what I've heard is that the Oilers pretty much knew they were going to have to lose a trade to get what they want. The value of their players has been down given their struggles, but I think they were doing everything to try and land reliable Dman and just couldn't get a reasonable trade. Adding Larsson and sign Russell has helped them out big time. Oilers are one of the best PK teams in the league right now and I think the recent Hawks game with them was an example of their defensive improvement. They were on our forwards anytime they were around the net.

First I've heard of this. Maybe not best in the league but better than last year.
- BravePackCats27

Patrick O'Sullivan is a pretty good and candid analyst (as a former NHL player) on Sirius XM between 4 and 6 EST.

'Just not that good' was his assessment of the Panther's roster, particularly Jason Demers and a few of the forwards, including Jagr.

Firing Gallant won't make that much of a difference really. His job was to win with what he was given and the brass didn't like what they were seeing. And Gallant probably didn't like what he was seeing from what he was given, so lets go our separate ways. But sure doesn't help when Barkov and Jagr have 5 goals total between them.

Hey I'm with ya there. Analytics is a small part of sports(IMO) but seems like it's becoming more and more talked about in all sports. I hate it. I'm 41 and have always played sports and would rather play and watch and learn that way instead of analyzing stats.
- BravePackCats27

I hear you. It's an interesting thing going on. I'm not a big fan/supporter of it, either.

Tracey MyersVerified account ‏@TramyersCSN 23h23 hours ago
TVR will NOT play tomorrow. Q wants to get him in a few more practices. Crawford starts vs. Florida. #Blackhawks
- pdx2ord

In other words Q wants to give the team more time before they have to make a roster decision.

Hey, I see Maxime Fortier is leading the QHL in scoring. I got a feeling this young man is going to be called before the playoffs start in April.
- spanky

Are you confusing him with Alex Fortin? Fortier isn't signed with an NHL team.

Agreed. As you know Rick, if 8 would just shoot the puck every so often on those odd-man rushes, D would have to respect his shot more and better passing lanes would open up. Not sure if you've been watching the Oil as much as I have this year (basically every game they've played lol), but same could be said for McDavid on their PP. I have not seen him even attempt a SOG from the Right Hash. He is almost only looking to pass on their PP and while he is skilled enough to get them through, he could probably pot 50 goals/year without breaking a sweat if he shot more on the PP, and in general. McDavid is just a blast to watch every shift. Still can't wrap my head around Hall for Larsson, though. Larsson just does not bring enough to the table to make that trade close to even, IMO.
- EnzoD

Ya well its a learning curve, I'm sure the coaches are telling Schmaltz to play quick and fire the biscuit more.

I watch the Oil a lot too, very good matchup tonight because with last change McLelland can get McDavid away from that swarthy little slimeball Khadri and maybe play him head to head all night against Auston Mathews. Or maybe Lucic will run Khadri's head thru the glass without his helmet on which would make for a nice ending to my evening.

Leafs are fast and very careless, the Oil are fast and careless which makes for great entertainment on a hockey rink. And believe it or not, there will be many fans in the stands with Leafs jerseys on, its a big deal when they roll thru Western Canada.

In other words Q wants to give the team more time before they have to make a roster decision.
- DarthKane

If he were to be traded, where do you think he'd go?

In the last blog about Toews there was a comment stating that Toews has hinted that he has focused on hockey to much and wants to spend more time with family and away from the rink.
Well here is a quote from #99 in his latest interview with the Players Tribune.

You know, to be a good athlete, and I don’t mean this to be controversial, but you have to be really selfish. Selfish to a point where your focus is just hockey and everything that goes around it. From September to May, it’s 100 percent hockey. The people around you have to understand that, whether it’s your brother, sister, friends, mom, dad, your wife, kids … They have to understand that your commitment is to win a championship. From my wife’s point of view, she understood that

If he were to be traded, where do you think he'd go?
- Hank3Henshaw

And, if they trade him during the year, does that leave Kruger as the only option for Vegas? Isn't Darling exempt as a UFA?

In the last blog about Toews there was a comment stating that Toews has hinted that he has focused on hockey to much and wants to spend more time with family and away from the rink.
Well here is a quote from #99 in his latest interview with the Players Tribune.

You know, to be a good athlete, and I don’t mean this to be controversial, but you have to be really selfish. Selfish to a point where your focus is just hockey and everything that goes around it. From September to May, it’s 100 percent hockey. The people around you have to understand that, whether it’s your brother, sister, friends, mom, dad, your wife, kids … They have to understand that your commitment is to win a championship. From my wife’s point of view, she understood that
- waitforawhistle

The comment in the last blog was from me and Toews didn't mention either time with family or time away from the rink, specifically. He just said he wanted more "balance," whatever that means to him.

As I mentioned in a later comment, maybe making that 100% commitment/sacrifice is no longer worth it to some after having scaled the mountain and won the ultimate prize so many times.

If he were to be traded, where do you think he'd go?
- Hank3Henshaw

Who? TvR?

He won't be traded, the Hawks need to meet a minimum requirement of d-men to expose during the expansion draft.

Reading Eklund's "Rental" post..... I know Doan is a RW, old, and slow, but I have always liked the way he played. About 18 goals, 20 assists, 70 PIM. Gritty. Snarly. Physical. Decent mitts. I wonder if he would/could play LW next to Toews. Maybe could stand in front of the net on PP. Yotes retain a little salary. Panik/TVR/one of our young wingers and/or "b" prospects or 3rd round pick. Intriguing.

The comment in the last blog was from me and Toews didn't mention either time with family or time away from the rink, specifically. He just said he wanted more "balance," whatever that means to him.

As I mentioned in a later comment, maybe making that 100% commitment/sacrifice is no longer worth it to some after having scaled the mountain and won the ultimate prize so many times.
- pdx2ord

If that's the case, he should return about 4.5M of his annual salary. I know that his most recent contract was partially payback for what he did between 2010 and 2015, but it's not like he was making league minimum back then. I believe that he was getting close to 6M a year plus bonuses.

I think that the core of this team has matured to the point where Tazer's leadership qualities aren't as valuable as they were 4 to 6 years ago. I love the guy for helping this franchise turn itself around, but business is business and he' not worth 10.5M.

In other words Q wants to give the team more time before they have to make a roster decision.
- DarthKane

cough cough.... trade!

cough cough.... trade!
- z1990z

Why make a trade? Send a guy to Rockford and keep the asset. Trading anyone on the roster will be difficult as Stan needs to keep a minimum number of eligible players to expose in the expansion draft.

No Idea if the hawks Like him but peter Holland is going to be traded or waived it looks like. last year he had 9 goals 18 Assists in 65 games with 138 shots 14mins of ToI and 46.5 FO%. with 53% corsi and 52% fenwick. not sure if I read that correctly.

Maybe Mcneal for Holland? we did get panik for Morin.

makes 1.3 mil. 6-2 200lbs.

http://www.hockey-referen.../players/h/hollape01.html

from a few years ago.

Talent Analysis

Holland has begun to put his game together in the past couple of seasons. Where he was a player who could have been described as having all the tools but no tool box, Holland has evened out his effort and consistency. He is a big player with a soft touch. Although he is more of a shoot-first center, he has the vision and passing skills to be a respectable setup man.

Read more at http://www.hockeysfuture....land/#wQIOj4YjtZ6KBlV3.99

I think #8 will get better too once he fills out his frame more. I would have him doing whatever Hossa does to get that power in his legs.

Edit: Also, Hall for Larsson, what I've heard is that the Oilers pretty much knew they were going to have to lose a trade to get what they want. The value of their players has been down given their struggles, but I think they were doing everything to try and land reliable Dman and just couldn't get a reasonable trade. Adding Larsson and sign Russell has helped them out big time. Oilers are one of the best PK teams in the league right now and I think the recent Hawks game with them was an example of their defensive improvement. They were on our forwards anytime they were around the net.
- breadbag

Probably about 95% carrying the genes of Frantisek Hossa, thus not something Schmaltz can do per se.

I think strength in the corners has a lot to do with a lower center of gravity.

Two guys on the team who are incredibly strong from the waist down are Toews (no huge surprise) and . . . Marcus Kruger, who has the leg development of a linebacker, along with a kind of scrawny upper body.

Leg strength can be developed to a degree especially through lots of squatting, dead lifts and power cleans, plyometrics as well.

One thing I notice about Schmaltz and Panik is they get boxed off of pucks along the wall easily, where Kruger (for example) has a gift for positioning his body to have a better shot at controlling a puck in a scrum. Some of that is experience and just learning the ropes, watching the guys who do it well.

Ya well its a learning curve, I'm sure the coaches are telling Schmaltz to play quick and fire the biscuit more.

I watch the Oil a lot too, very good matchup tonight because with last change McLelland can get McDavid away from that swarthy little slimeball Khadri and maybe play him head to head all night against Auston Mathews. Or maybe Lucic will run Khadri's head thru the glass without his helmet on which would make for a nice ending to my evening.

Leafs are fast and very careless, the Oil are fast and careless which makes for great entertainment on a hockey rink. And believe it or not, there will be many fans in the stands with Leafs jerseys on, its a big deal when they roll thru Western Canada.
- RickJ

I remember they had to get Kane to shoot more at one point.

I will just say this about Schmaltz: he seems to me to very much have a playmaker's mindset. He does a lot of things really "artfully" well bringing the puck into the zone, setting up the play, looking for line mates. But I don't think you can assume, like Kane, he can just flip a switch on his toolset and immediately become a finisher/scorer.

Some guys are just always going to be pass first and better at that. I think the issue with Schmaltz is the more you get him to the center of the ice, the more comfortable he feels and the better he will be, especially surrounded by wingers who can score—versus trying to turn him into one, i.e., a force along the wall who can also score.

The problem is, he cannot supplant Toews or Anisimov yet, and the Hawks are already "down" a scoring winger.

Reading Eklund's "Rental" post..... I know Doan is a RW, old, and slow, but I have always liked the way he played. About 18 goals, 20 assists, 70 PIM. Gritty. Snarly. Physical. Decent mitts. I wonder if he would/could play LW next to Toews. Maybe could stand in front of the net on PP. Yotes retain a little salary. Panik/TVR/one of our young wingers and/or "b" prospects or 3rd round pick. Intriguing.
- -Doh-

I was just looking at the Hawks cap, and I don't see how they make any significant trades this year, rental or otherwise. They would need to part with a "core" player in order to make a significant trade, which would make them weaker IMO.

I think the team we have now is the team we have come mid April pretty much...

EDIT: Of course, Unless injury allows us the overage that we had in 2015

Probably about 95% carrying the genes of Frantisek Hossa, thus not something Schmaltz can do per se.

I think strength in the corners has a lot to do with a lower center of gravity.

Two guys on the team who are incredibly strong from the waist down are Toews (no huge surprise) and . . . Marcus Kruger, who has the leg development of a linebacker, along with a kind of scrawny upper body.

Leg strength can be developed to a degree especially through lots of squatting, dead lifts and power cleans, plyometrics as well.

One thing I notice about Schmaltz and Panik is they get boxed off of pucks along the wall easily, where Kruger (for example) has a gift for positioning his body to have a better shot at controlling a puck in a scrum. Some of that is experience and just learning the ropes, watching the guys who do it well.
- John Jaeckel

I see that a lot in Panarin too.
Edit: Panarin's ability to get himself between his opponent and the puck and keep the puck.

I don't know how much to read into the latter part of who was sent up from Rockford to Indy because Jake Dowell got suspended for two games, but the former part has me stroking my goatee:

D's Nick Mattson and Johnathan Carlsson and F's Evan Mosey and Bryn Chyzyk were called back up to Rockford Monday.

That's 9 D on the team, 10 if supposedly Robin Press is coming to the team from overseas.

I could be using my Jump to Conclusions mat too soon, but something just seems odd. A**hattery, maybe, John?