Or his back really has been hurting for awhile. And as far as interviews, who the poop cares if he is snarky to reporters?

Lets see how he is after some rest and recovery time. If he performs on ice, I sincerely doubt anyone will give even half a crap about his snarky-ness
- BlazinMike

Actually, a wonky back might explain some of the "vague" sense that something is not 100% right physically with him. That said, having lived that nightmare myself, I suspect there would have been more indicators.

Backs are funny things. Short-term, best prescription is rest. Long-term hard to say as long as he can avoid something so serious it requires surgery. Bottom line, a lot of people have back problems, and they are pretty much always a result of a structural/disk issue. A lot of athletes live with and play with them for years. A few notable cases don't. He should be fine, but as long as the team is doing OK in his absence, rest is the best "cure."

yeah, he was secretly diagnosed as bi=polar and he is currently in an asylum for treatment...much like all who post here.
- wiz1901

BUGS!!!!!

Not one of the new faces have been a bust, and I think we can say more than one has pleasantly surprised us.

I fully expected Hartman to be in Q's doghouse, but he is under control and making me miss Shaw a bit less. I was certain Hino would be sent back to the Rock, but he is constantly improving and skates like he is chasing Kelly McGillis with his hair on fire. Kempny is a beast for his size, and Schmaltz looks to be a future potential stud.

I find all this very exciting - it's a good time to be a Hawks fan.

yeah, he was secretly diagnosed as bi=polar and he is currently in an asylum for treatment...much like all who post here.
- wiz1901

After the San Jose game, Q, Stanbo and McD decided the team would play better without Tazer so they had the trainers put him in a straightjacket and then lock up in a room with rubber walls. Team has played quite well since then.

Whether it be a combination of back, shoulder, and leg, it seems a perfect time to take the adequate time to acure a bit of Cap space, and Johnny can be ready to compete...when he is.

I am tellin' ya he was struggling before the 1st period, came out for the 2nd period face-off and then tapped out on that shift, and them aybe returned mid period and tried again, still not able.

and San Jose has consistently taken liberties against him, usually going unnoticed by the zebras...

The way the team is playing/constructed, Crawford will have to stand on his head in the playoffs for us to win any series, for now
- BetweenTheDots

Any top team get's great goaltending .Price steals games all the time ,same with Holtby Ludquist .And Crow is definitely in that class .Any team in the playoffs win cause they have rock solid goalies .Crow very well could have been MVP in 2013 .

I thought that Hartman-Hino-Hossa was once again an effective line. Vinny making plays with the puck and Hartman looks like he could develop into an effective 200 foot middle 6 wing with physicality, speed, and some offense. Vinny has been playing with confidence and I like the snarl he's been bringing along the wall for a small guy. 72-15-88 are always amazing and I really hope Keith didn't just friendly fire break Big Arty's foot. Cant expect great results with 19 AND 15 out of the lineup. Another 2 points in the bank. Crow, exceptional again.

Whether it be a combination of back, shoulder, and leg, it seems a perfect time to take the adequate time to acure a bit of Cap space, and Johnny can be ready to compete...when he is.

I am tellin' ya he was struggling before the 1st period, came out for the 2nd period face-off and then tapped out on that shift, and them aybe returned mid period and tried again, still not able.

and San Jose has consistently taken liberties against him, usually going unnoticed by the zebras...
- wiz1901

I'm witcha, agree with the post.

Not one of the new faces have been a bust, and I think we can say more than one has pleasantly surprised us.

I fully expected Hartman to be in Q's doghouse, but he is under control and making me miss Shaw a bit less. I was certain Hino would be sent back to the Rock, but he is constantly improving and skates like he is chasing Kelly McGillis with his hair on fire. Kempny is a beast for his size, and Schmaltz looks to be a future potential stud.

I find all this very exciting - it's a good time to be a Hawks fan.
- ItHossaGood

I'm gonna be a buzzkill here. Yeah, we can all take some solace here that none of the kids has poop the bed.

But none of them has really stepped up in a way that says they're anything but works in progress, and the only one of them who really looks like he has top 6 skill (among the forwards) probably has the longest development curve at this point.

I will argue til the cows come home that this team still has some big roster holes that the kids are really only partially (at best) filling, and that the Hawks' record is better than their actual roster (at this point) mostly due to insanely good goaltending.

You look at shots, possession, 5-on-5 numbers, it all says the team is not that great (yet). OK, maybe a tick better than last year. But not a really elite NHL team.

Of all of them, the one who has consistently shown he is a useful NHL player is Hartman. And that is no surprise, he was also the one with the most pro experience.

And to my eye, he, Hinostroza and Motte ALL project as good bottom 6 players. This team still needs another top 6 winger. They find a way to get that (and it might ironically mean dealing 1-2 of the prized kids), and everyone else is healthy, then this is a team that can go deep and do some damage—with 3-4 kids getting some minutes in the right roles.

Right now, the Hawks are 4-3-1 in their last 8, and that against mostly middling teams, not scoring much, and really only consistently dangerous on the AK72 line or some variant of it. And getting great goaltending night in night out. That's a good NHL team, not a great one.

Question is, how sustainable that formula would be in April/May/June. I have my doubts. But there is time to develop say Schmaltz or figure out a pre-deadline move.

I'm beginning to also see the value of Toews, 3 out of 4 games the Hawks only score 1 goal.

Another concern is heavy defenseman equals no traffic in front of the net, this is actually my biggest concern, it sure seems if we don't get a breakaway, 2 on 1, or transition goal we can't score, kind explains our PP.
- BetweenTheDots

Traffic in front of the net is HUGE. The Hawks already lost a valuable net front guy with trading Shaw. Ladd as a rental helped in that dept last year too. Without Toews and "if" AA is hurt a while, the Hawks don't have a lot of players who have spent time in front of an NHL goalie.

I thought that Hartman-Hino-Hossa was once again an effective line. Vinny making plays with the puck and Hartman looks like he could develop into an effective 200 foot middle 6 wing with physicality, speed, and some offense. Vinny has been playing with confidence and I like the snarl he's been bringing along the wall for a small guy. 72-15-88 are always amazing and I really hope Keith didn't just friendly fire break Big Arty's foot. Cant expect great results with 19 AND 15 out of the lineup. Another 2 points in the bank. Crow, exceptional again.
- EnzoD

As always, looking at a "comparable" (stylistically) player can give you a sense of a young player's upside.

Vinny? I just don't see high-end hands or awareness to say he's more than a bottom 6 guy long-term.

But speed, energy, willingness? Yes. So can he be a Kris Draper/Darren Helm type player? Maybe, if he emulates those types of guys and works at it. And please don't tell me that's selling the kid short. In their primes, those were/are very valuable players you win with in the right roles.

Hartman. Sort of an Andrew Shaw type guy, maybe not as rugged physically, but in that zone and a female dog to play against. Patric Hornqvist comes to mind.

Motte. Serviceable third line winger, but has to improve defensively to become that. Like Hinostroza, he has been a top 6 guy at lower levels but lacks the skill to be that in the NHL, so he must embrace the things that will make him successful as a 3rd line guy. A negative comparator here might be his fellow USTNDP alum, Jack Skille. Find the niche your ability gives you in the NHL and embrace it. Don't be a Skille. All that said, Motte looks willing to learn.

Forsling. He has top 4/power play QB ability. Not a Scott Niedermayer or a Phil Housley, but maybe that is a good role model. Just needs to keep working and gaining experience.

Kempny, Johnny Oduya 2.0. But for him it will be about mental consistency and recognizing how to make the most use of his physical skills. As Oduya did.

Schmaltz reminds me a bit of Franz Nielsen, and I really think his best position will be center, a 2nd line center, if they develop him the right way and he wants to be that good.

Those are my takes.

Kruger who shouldered the faceoff load in Toews absence, going an obscene 15-5 in the dot.

THIS. Kruger was a beast out there on those faceoffs last night. I did notice that he took a few of Anisimov's draws down in the d-zone alongside Kane and Panarin, before rushing off the ice and letting Anisimov come back on. Is this new or something Q has been doing for awhile since Arty's always struggled with faceoffs and I just didn't realize it? (In my defense it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between 15 and 16. )

Loved the 2nd and 3rd lines last night (38-48-81) & (70-16-14). That 'Triple H' line had some speed!

I'm gonna be a buzzkill here. Yeah, we can all take some solace here that none of the kids has poop the bed.

But none of them has really stepped up in a way that says they're anything but works in progress, and the only one of them who really looks like he has top 6 skill (among the forwards) probably has the longest development curve at this point.

I will argue til the cows come home that this team still has some big roster holes that the kids are really only partially (at best) filling, and that the Hawks' record is better than their actual roster (at this point) mostly due to insanely good goaltending.

You look at shots, possession, 5-on-5 numbers, it all says the team is not that great (yet). OK, maybe a tick better than last year. But not a really elite NHL team.

Of all of them, the one who has consistently shown he is a useful NHL player is Hartman. And that is no surprise, he was also the one with the most pro experience.

And to my eye, he, Hinostroza and Motte ALL project as good bottom 6 players. This team still needs another top 6 winger. They find a way to get that (and it might ironically mean dealing 1-2 of the prized kids), and everyone else is healthy, then this is a team that can go deep and do some damage—with 3-4 kids getting some minutes in the right roles.

Right now, the Hawks are 4-3-1 in their last 8, and that against mostly middling teams, not scoring much, and really only consistently dangerous on the AK72 line or some variant of it. And getting great goaltending night in night out. That's a good NHL team, not a great one.

Question is, how sustainable that formula would be in April/May/June. I have my doubts. But there is time to develop say Schmaltz or figure out a pre-deadline move.
- John Jaeckel

Just can't see a deal from a cap perspective .I thought the HAWKS were a lot closer to beating ST,L last year then most I know .And Dallas well could see them getting by them last year and SJ would have been tough but not unheard of .Pitt well who knows .But if they are A Tick better this year , just keep developing this young squad of players ..

I'm gonna be a buzzkill here. Yeah, we can all take some solace here that none of the kids has poop the bed.

But none of them has really stepped up in a way that says they're anything but works in progress, and the only one of them who really looks like he has top 6 skill (among the forwards) probably has the longest development curve at this point.

I will argue til the cows come home that this team still has some big roster holes that the kids are really only partially (at best) filling, and that the Hawks' record is better than their actual roster (at this point) mostly due to insanely good goaltending.

You look at shots, possession, 5-on-5 numbers, it all says the team is not that great (yet). OK, maybe a tick better than last year. But not a really elite NHL team.

Of all of them, the one who has consistently shown he is a useful NHL player is Hartman. And that is no surprise, he was also the one with the most pro experience.

And to my eye, he, Hinostroza and Motte ALL project as good bottom 6 players. This team still needs another top 6 winger. They find a way to get that (and it might ironically mean dealing 1-2 of the prized kids), and everyone else is healthy, then this is a team that can go deep and do some damage—with 3-4 kids getting some minutes in the right roles.

Right now, the Hawks are 4-3-1 in their last 8, and that against mostly middling teams, not scoring much, and really only consistently dangerous on the AK72 line or some variant of it. And getting great goaltending night in night out. That's a good NHL team, not a great one.

Question is, how sustainable that formula would be in April/May/June. I have my doubts. But there is time to develop say Schmaltz or figure out a pre-deadline move.
- John Jaeckel

The elimination of elite teams in this league has pretty much been completed by a combination of the salary cap, the absurd schedule these teams are being asked to play and injuries to key players.

The Penguins might be the closest to elite when all cylinders are firing, but that hasn't occurred so often this year. The rest of the league plays the schedule in front of them - 6 games in 9 nights at a time, playing 2-1 and 3-2 games and mostly happy with win one/lose one results.

I could make the argument that the Columbus Blue Jackets are the closest team to elite so far this season, coached by a guy who most people think is an idiot.

The Blackhawks are not elite as presently constituted - but they are still one tough team to for anybody to beat.

I will open my statement by saying that the Hawks cant win a cup without Toews in general, as well as cant win a cup without him playing well.

BUT, I will say that for everyone banging the drum of understating Toews very poor start this season (for the sake of argument I wont include last season here) just because the Hawks are in first and if they are winning, who cares...

The Hawks, since Toews has been out, are clearly indicating that they were winning in spite of Toews' disappointing play. Outside of getting murdered at the faceoff dot some nights, they have made up for his absence defensively by playing solid as a team, goaltending remains solid, and not too much offense has been lost since Toews wasnt chipping in that much to begin with. The low scoring affairs and dip in goal scoring since Toews has been out is attributed to the guys potting the goals in recent games (Hossa, Hartman, Kane, Panarin, Anisimov) has leveled off the last few games.

Not because the wunderkind Toews wasnt there to put pucks on a platter for guys or bury the because himself

I'm gonna be a buzzkill here. Yeah, we can all take some solace here that none of the kids has poop the bed.

But none of them has really stepped up in a way that says they're anything but works in progress, and the only one of them who really looks like he has top 6 skill (among the forwards) probably has the longest development curve at this point.

I will argue til the cows come home that this team still has some big roster holes that the kids are really only partially (at best) filling, and that the Hawks' record is better than their actual roster (at this point) mostly due to insanely good goaltending.

You look at shots, possession, 5-on-5 numbers, it all says the team is not that great (yet). OK, maybe a tick better than last year. But not a really elite NHL team.

Of all of them, the one who has consistently shown he is a useful NHL player is Hartman. And that is no surprise, he was also the one with the most pro experience.

And to my eye, he, Hinostroza and Motte ALL project as good bottom 6 players. This team still needs another top 6 winger. They find a way to get that (and it might ironically mean dealing 1-2 of the prized kids), and everyone else is healthy, then this is a team that can go deep and do some damage—with 3-4 kids getting some minutes in the right roles.

Right now, the Hawks are 4-3-1 in their last 8, and that against mostly middling teams, not scoring much, and really only consistently dangerous on the AK72 line or some variant of it. And getting great goaltending night in night out. That's a good NHL team, not a great one.

Question is, how sustainable that formula would be in April/May/June. I have my doubts. But there is time to develop say Schmaltz or figure out a pre-deadline move.
- John Jaeckel

To me, the question will be if the young guys expand their role and fill in more or if they start to hit a wall like a lot of rookies do the first year. Also, I don't feel like the more experienced players are giving the Hawks that much depth either.

For example....Panik scored, but it was on a clean breakaway and most games he hasn't been very dangerous or able to create much else. He isn't going to get a breakaway like that too often. I'd love to see him create more chances

I think the Hawks will become elite in time for the playoffs. Just a tad short on forward depth right now but I think we fix that at the TDL and with further rookie development.

As always, looking at a "comparable" (stylistically) player can give you a sense of a young player's upside.

Vinny? I just don't see high-end hands or awareness to say he's more than a bottom 6 guy long-term.

But speed, energy, willingness? Yes. So can he be a Kris Draper/Darren Helm type player? Maybe, if he emulates those types of guys and works at it. And please don't tell me that's selling the kid short. In their primes, those were/are very valuable players you win with in the right roles.

Hartman. Sort of an Andrew Shaw type guy, maybe not as rugged physically, but in that zone and a female dog to play against. Patric Hornqvist comes to mind.

Motte. Serviceable third line winger, but has to improve defensively to become that. Like Hinostroza, he has been a top 6 guy at lower levels but lacks the skill to be that in the NHL, so he must embrace the things that will make him successful as a 3rd line guy. A negative comparator here might be his fellow USTNDP alum, Jack Skille. Find the niche your ability gives you in the NHL and embrace it. Don't be a Skille. All that said, Motte looks willing to learn.

Forsling. He has top 4/power play QB ability. Not a Scott Niedermayer or a Phil Housley, but maybe that is a good role model. Just needs to keep working and gaining experience.

Kempny, Johnny Oduya 2.0. But for him it will be about mental consistency and recognizing how to make the most use of his physical skills. As Oduya did.

Schmaltz reminds me a bit of Franz Nielsen, and I really think his best position will be center, a 2nd line center, if they develop him the right way and he wants to be that good.

Those are my takes.
- John Jaeckel

Compared to how Vinny looked the 1st ten games, I think comparing him to a career NHL Center on Playoff Teams is far from selling short. Hartman I like more and more each game and I think when he feels the leash loosen a bit, he will start laying more hits. I think he is (rightfully) scared to commit a stupid penalty for fear of The Stache. Schmaltz clearly has high-end talent but once again passed up a prime SOG and forced a pass to Kaner on the 2v1. Kempny has had the roughest start to the season, as evidenced by Q going with Rosival much more the last 2 weeks. I still don't know if his feet/instincts are good enough to be more than a #6 NHL dman. As for Forsling, yes he is small and has had his mistakes...but this kid has high end puck skill, passing, and his shot from the point gets through traffic, on net, and in a hurry. Yet another steal by StanBo.

Right now, the Hawks are 4-3-1 in their last 8, and that against mostly middling teams, not scoring much, and really only consistently dangerous on the AK72 line or some variant of it. And getting great goaltending night in night out. That's a good NHL team, not a great one.

- John Jaeckel

That is a bit unfair as there was also a 6 games in 9 days scenario on the Circus Trip. They are still gelling as a team and you can see it. There was a rush in the 3rd with the Triple H line and Hino was just plain in the way. The more they play together, the more this will correct itself, or be corrected for them.

As long as some of the players play consistently through the year, they will learn positioning, when to shoot and when not to, etc. The playoffs will be a shorter learning curve for them, but at least they will have the foundation of playing a full season.

/takes off rose colored glasses

Compared to how Vinny looked the 1st ten games, I think comparing him to a career NHL Center on Playoff Teams is far from selling short. Hartman I like more and more each game and I think when he feels the leash loosen a bit, he will start laying more hits. I think he is (rightfully) scared to commit a stupid penalty for fear of The Stache. Schmaltz clearly has high-end talent but once again passed up a prime SOG and forced a pass to Kaner on the 2v1. Kempny has had the roughest start to the season, as evidenced by Q going with Rosival much more the last 2 weeks. I still don't know if his feet/instincts are good enough to be more than a #6 NHL dman. As for Forsling, yes he is small and has had his mistakes...but this kid has high end puck skill, passing, and his shot from the point gets through traffic, on net, and in a hurry. Yet another steal by StanBo.
- EnzoD

Whoever the d-man was covering that 2 on 1 forced Schmaltz to try to make that pass by skating towards him. Schmaltz decision making was too slow, in that scenario (understandably). With time, hopefully he'll know to pass as soon as the d-man makes that move and not after.

Whoever the d-man was covering that 2 on 1 forced Schmaltz to try to make that pass by skating towards him. Schmaltz decision making was too slow, in that scenario (understandably). With time, hopefully he'll know to pass as soon as the d-man makes that move and not after.
- CanOCorn

The kid doesn't want to shoot. There was plenty of time and space (by NHL standards).

I will open my statement by saying that the Hawks cant win a cup without Toews in general, as well as cant win a cup without him playing well.

BUT, I will say that for everyone banging the drum of understating Toews very poor start this season (for the sake of argument I wont include last season here) just because the Hawks are in first and if they are winning, who cares...

The Hawks, since Toews has been out, are clearly indicating that they were winning in spite of Toews' disappointing play. Outside of getting murdered at the faceoff dot some nights, they have made up for his absence defensively by playing solid as a team, goaltending remains solid, and not too much offense has been lost since Toews wasnt chipping in that much to begin with. The low scoring affairs and dip in goal scoring since Toews has been out is attributed to the guys potting the goals in recent games (Hossa, Hartman, Kane, Panarin, Anisimov) has leveled off the last few games.

Not because the wunderkind Toews wasnt there to put pucks on a platter for guys or bury the because himself
- hawkeytalkman

I still think this whole Toews "problem" is overblown.

Lets take a look at the month of November, the only place were Toews really didn't produce was on the Powerplay. No PP points in November. Kane had 4 (2PPG and 2 PPA), Panarin 3 PPA, Hossa 1 PPA, Anisimov 1 PPG 1 PPA for example, but Toews didn't get on the board for the PP.

Even strength, Toews contributed nearly as much as the next guy in the top 6.

Kane 10 points in 15 games 0.67 P/GP
Panarin 10 points in 15 games 0.67 P/GP
Hossa 9 points in 15 games 0.6 P/GP
Anisimov 7 points in 14 games 0.5 P/GP
Toews 7 points in 12 games 0.58 P/GP

If Toews had just one more even strength point, he would have produced the most even strength points per game out of the bunch. Compared to the rest, he basically just didn't get points on the PP lately. Not too surprising when Q has shown he likes to put 72-15-88 out there to start things often on the PP (even when 88 was playing with 19 and even strength) Toews was 6th in icetime on the PP for the Hawks during this month and that isn't a recipe for putting up points. (Kane got twice a much time with the man advantage overall 56:26 compared to 28:33)

The kid doesn't want to shoot. There was plenty of time and space (by NHL standards).
- EnzoD

Has happened a lot in the last 10 games. The kid tries to force passes through defenders and it gets picked off. It would be nice to see him just direct the puck towards the net instead. The kid needs to talk to Brad Richards, that guy would just shoot from anywhere.

It should scare the poop out the rest of the league that despite not yet reaching elite status(or playing their best), the Hawks are STILL on top the league standings, and have fewer flaws than just about all other teams. I think we upgrade and improve as the season goes along, and nobody will want any part of us in a 7 game series.

The kid doesn't want to shoot. There was plenty of time and space (by NHL standards).
- EnzoD

I agree, but I was just talking about that particular play. Otherwise, I agree completely. It was a good d play forcing a rookie to make a decision quickly. Normally, they aren' tgoing to be able to do that, and he didn't.