That was a very boring game to watch live in person and the UC was very dead for a large portion of the game.

--If Kempny isn't scratched Wednesday I'll be shocked. While he has a nice shot, he was a train wreck in his own end. Countless turnovers.

--Very impressed by Vinny's speed. Still think he stays far too much to the outside but he didn't stand out as a BAD on the 19-81 line.......19 on the other hand was awful. He looks to be hurting a lot. Was pushed off the puck a lot and made some very bad turnovers. Hawks need to get him right IF they can, because the eye test tells me that back injury is NO where near 100% healed.

--Loved lines 3 and 4. IMO, Rasmussen sits when/if Kruger returns from his wrist injury and slide 16 between 11 and 22. Tootoo was fantastic last night and played under controllable and added some nice grit. 38-67-14 is a solid 3rd line and 67 made a helluva pass to 14 to start the scramble that led to the 3rd goal.

Kempy made some mistakes last night. For sure. But he had a lot of good shifts too. You can see he is figuring things out and gaining confidence. Does anyone else see a little Seabrook-like physicality and a little Shaw-like irritator/instigator? With those traits (and decreasing his mistakes) he could become a fan favorite. I hope they keep throwing him out there and see how he develops and if he can learn to minimize his mistakes.

That is great news ..
- oldduffman

Excellent! Definitely pulling for him.

I agree completely, its games like last night that tell me the Hawks have a chance in the playoffs. They scored playoff type goals last night, every line was dangerous, but like JJ says, I don't know what the hell this team is? You just don't know what your going to get from night to night.

But have to say this offensive style will work very well vs teams like, the Wild, Preds, Blues, I really think this new wrinkle is going to give these teams fits, believe the coaching staff is on to something, let's see over a span of games if 5 on 5 shots on goal begin to favor us.
- BetweenTheDots

I don't know that 5v5 shots will ever be in favor of this team. When you look at the line that is the engine of the offense right now, they pass, pass, pass and hold the puck waiting for the slam dunk opportunity in the form of a one timer. I'm sure the Hawks in general could simplify and just try to wire pucks at the net from everywhere and they'd have more shots and stronger SAT for.

IMO... Kero is much more NHL ready than Schmaltz, Motte, or Abbott. Hartmann is developing nicely. Trending up. Jury still out if he is going to be a top 6. I am not sure about Hino but I want to see more of him.

Does anyone else think Campbell looks shaky? He has never been physical or a great defender. But he looks lost out there defending when the opposition has the puck in his corner or behind the net. He looks like he has no interest in engaging players, much less winning a board battle. He is really slow retrieving lose pucks in his own end too. just my IMO. Maybe he would do better if he played regularly with the same partner or on his strong side.

I am warning up to Panik. He reminds me of the "good" Bickell. Plays the body. Likes to get physical. Will go to the net and play tough in the corners and along the boards. Good shot. Somehow scores goals. Stick handling, passing, soft hands, creativity, hockey IQ eh ..... not so much. Best on 3rd and 4th line. Could be used on the top two lines from time to time. Last night they had him in front of the net on the PP on the 2nd unit for a shift. Might be ok in that role.

That was a very boring game to watch live in person and the UC was very dead for a large portion of the game.

--If Kempny isn't scratched Wednesday I'll be shocked. While he has a nice shot, he was a train wreck in his own end. Countless turnovers.

--Very impressed by Vinny's speed. Still think he stays far too much to the outside but he didn't stand out as a BAD on the 19-81 line.......19 on the other hand was awful. He looks to be hurting a lot. Was pushed off the puck a lot and made some very bad turnovers. Hawks need to get him right IF they can, because the eye test tells me that back injury is NO where near 100% healed.

--Loved lines 3 and 4. IMO, Rasmussen sits when/if Kruger returns from his wrist injury and slide 16 between 11 and 22. Tootoo was fantastic last night and played under controllable and added some nice grit. 38-67-14 is a solid 3rd line and 67 made a helluva pass to 14 to start the scramble that led to the 3rd goal.
- SteveRain

Interesting, I was at the game last night and saw it a little differently. I will admit there were times it was deadly silent in there. Maybe a little something to do with the "giveaway" crowd. It seems like every promotional giveaway draws a different type of fan base.

-Kempny was put in some bad situations by his teammates several times which led to turnovers. Also, IMO, Seabrook has been awful lately, which has a direct effect on how his partner looks. Q stapled Kempny to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game, but your other option now with Forsling down in the Rock is Rosival. May as well let Kempny learn.

-Toews is obviously not 100%, but his play lately has been pretty good. Seems like he is making an effort to be a little bit more offensive minded. His line is generating shots and scoring chances. Puck was bouncing a lot last night, for both teams, and a few prime chances just bounced wrong for Toews. Something I did notice last night that you dont see much from Toews is that several times he was the last one back into the D zone, and not from a lack of hustle standpoint, but from a linger in the neutral zone and wait for a breakout standpoint.

-I don't mind TooToo, but not sure I see him in the lineup once Kruger gets back. I think Kero, Rasmussen and Desjardins are playing their roles well

How are we winning like this without the great Marcus Kruger?

Kempny had at least one moment where he got caught on a pinch, but he got back in time to avert disaster, a couple of other times where he mishandled a puck or kind of got caught in no man's land. And yes, one of those times was Seabrook's fault.

He has to play to iron out those wrinkles. Kid has talent and plays heavy, both of which the Hawks need.

How are we winning like this without the great Marcus Kruger?
- onehundredlevel

Same way they won 2 Stanley Cups with him—if we use your logic. I mean, that is what you were trying to do, right?.

That was a very boring game to watch live in person and the UC was very dead for a large portion of the game.

--If Kempny isn't scratched Wednesday I'll be shocked. While he has a nice shot, he was a train wreck in his own end. Countless turnovers.

--Very impressed by Vinny's speed. Still think he stays far too much to the outside but he didn't stand out as a BAD on the 19-81 line.......19 on the other hand was awful. He looks to be hurting a lot. Was pushed off the puck a lot and made some very bad turnovers. Hawks need to get him right IF they can, because the eye test tells me that back injury is NO where near 100% healed.

--Loved lines 3 and 4. IMO, Rasmussen sits when/if Kruger returns from his wrist injury and slide 16 between 11 and 22. Tootoo was fantastic last night and played under controllable and added some nice grit. 38-67-14 is a solid 3rd line and 67 made a helluva pass to 14 to start the scramble that led to the 3rd goal.
- SteveRain

Sitting Kempny would be a mistake IMO. The guy had a couple bad shifts and one bad turnover, but helped generate well at the other end. The guy directs pucks to the net.

Tootoo fantastic is pretty much average for anyone else on the team. He and Desjardins haven't been very good this year. They still had a bad shift for pretty much every good shift. While a bit unlucky with the bouncing puck...that line wasn't good on the Preds first goal. Kempny gets the puck out, Tootoo misses it. Tootoo and Desjardins skate into each other and then while the Preds counter attack both guys just coast while the Preds outman on Seabrook and score. Would be great if we had a 4th line that was a bit better at getting out of their own end and moving the puck down the ice. They managed to be a bit better last night, but on the whole...awful.

Kempny had at least one moment where he got caught on a pinch, but he got back in time to avert disaster, a couple of other times where he mishandled a puck or kind of got caught in no man's land. And yes, one of those times was Seabrook's fault.

He has to play to iron out those wrinkles. Kid has talent and plays heavy, both of which the Hawks need.
- John Jaeckel

Wholeheartedly agree.

Interesting, I was at the game last night and saw it a little differently. I will admit there were times it was deadly silent in there. Maybe a little something to do with the "giveaway" crowd. It seems like every promotional giveaway draws a different type of fan base.

-Kempny was put in some bad situations by his teammates several times which led to turnovers. Also, IMO, Seabrook has been awful lately, which has a direct effect on how his partner looks. Q stapled Kempny to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game, but your other option now with Forsling down in the Rock is Rosival. May as well let Kempny learn.

-Toews is obviously not 100%, but his play lately has been pretty good. Seems like he is making an effort to be a little bit more offensive minded. His line is generating shots and scoring chances. Puck was bouncing a lot last night, for both teams, and a few prime chances just bounced wrong for Toews. Something I did notice last night that you dont see much from Toews is that several times he was the last one back into the D zone, and not from a lack of hustle standpoint, but from a linger in the neutral zone and wait for a breakout standpoint.

-I don't mind TooToo, but not sure I see him in the lineup once Kruger gets back. I think Kero, Rasmussen and Desjardins are playing their roles well
- TheTrob

One thing that was great to see from Toews. When the Hawks had the lead, he was winning draws and the Hawks were able to get possession. He kept going head to head with Johansen and beat him 3 of 3 in those last 10 minutes of the game.

Sitting Kempny would be a mistake IMO. The guy had a couple bad shifts and one bad turnover, but helped generate well at the other end. The guy directs pucks to the net.

Tootoo fantastic is pretty much average for anyone else on the team. He and Desjardins haven't been very good this year. They still had a bad shift for pretty much every good shift. While a bit unlucky with the bouncing puck...that line wasn't good on the Preds first goal. Kempny gets the puck out, Tootoo misses it. Tootoo and Desjardins skate into each other and then while the Preds counter attack both guys just coast while the Preds outman on Seabrook and score. Would be great if we had a 4th line that was a bit better at getting out of their own end and moving the puck down the ice. They managed to be a bit better last night, but on the whole...awful.
- breadbag

Tootoo goes all out every time he's on the ice, and adds much needed grit. Desjardins hasn't done anything since 2015 Cup, and is consistently the worst Blackhawk.

Tootoo goes all out every time he's on the ice, and adds much needed grit. Desjardins hasn't done anything since 2015 Cup, and is consistently the worst Blackhawk.
- BMWChiFan

My problem with Tootoo is he has no OFF hands. on one of there goals if he grabs the loose puck they do not score. I think Moose uses his reach and can actually skate the puck into the zone and hold his ground in front of the net. I would sit Kero or DES before moose.

I might consider moving des to a team that wants more EXP in there bottom pairing. I think Kero can handle his job just fine. you probably only get a 5-6th. but that is at least something.

Tootoo goes all out every time he's on the ice, and adds much needed grit. Desjardins hasn't done anything since 2015 Cup, and is consistently the worst Blackhawk.
- BMWChiFan

He goes all out, but his talent offensively/defensively is very limited and he doesn't have size. If the Hawks were stacked in the top 3 lines, it would be one thing, but he doesn't have a net positive impact when he plays. E for effort, but overall a guy that should be in the AHL or some other league.

The Hawks have 5 very solid top-6 forwards. The have arguably the best goalie tandem in the league or at least top three. The d-corps is much improved from last season and even with some games where individual d-men under perform, I would say the Hawks d-corps is in the top five in the league. But we assumed all that before the season started and the question we all had was whether the Hawks had enough depth in the bottom-6 to be a legitimate Cup contender. I would say the jury is still out but evidence is starting to become more clear that the Hawks bottom-6 may be good enough.

Of course, this is totally ignoring the missing 1LW, but just looking at the potential bottom-6 players - Kruger, Hartman, Panik, Rasmussen, Desjardins, Hinostroza - that group is probably good enough. Other teams have better, or at least more experience and bigger names, but we're starting to see a more consistent and cohesive effort where the 3rd and 4th lines are turning from a liability to an asset. Even if one of those 6 ends up as the 1LW, Kero, Motte and even Tootoo can step in and play without too much fall off.

There's a long way to go, but I like the way the bottom-6 players are finding their niche and contributing.

That Panarin goal was incredible. Such a beautiful snipe.

The Hawks have 5 very solid top-6 forwards. The have arguably the best goalie tandem in the league or at least top three. The d-corps is much improved from last season and even with some games where individual d-men under perform, I would say the Hawks d-corps is in the top five in the league. But we assumed all that before the season started and the question we all had was whether the Hawks had enough depth in the bottom-6 to be a legitimate Cup contender. I would say the jury is still out but evidence is starting to become more clear that the Hawks bottom-6 may be good enough.

Of course, this is totally ignoring the missing 1LW, but just looking at the potential bottom-6 players - Kruger, Hartman, Panik, Rasmussen, Desjardins, Hinostroza - that group is probably good enough. Other teams have better, or at least more experience and bigger names, but we're starting to see a more consistent and cohesive effort where the 3rd and 4th lines are turning from a liability to an asset. Even if one of those 6 ends up as the 1LW, Kero, Motte and even Tootoo can step in and play without too much fall off.

There's a long way to go, but I like the way the bottom-6 players are finding their niche and contributing.
- EbonyRaptor

Breadman is a 1LW. I am not being critical of your post in any way, shape or form. But IMO for the purpose of this blog, especially when talking about trades, acceptable LW candidates and the price we may need to pay is drastically different when talking about 1LW's and 2LW's. The fact that that player may play with Toews and Hossa on what has always been considered the top line not withstanding.

I don't know that 5v5 shots will ever be in favor of this team. When you look at the line that is the engine of the offense right now, they pass, pass, pass and hold the puck waiting for the slam dunk opportunity in the form of a one timer. I'm sure the Hawks in general could simplify and just try to wire pucks at the net from everywhere and they'd have more shots and stronger SAT for.
- breadbag

Thank you! This is a really helpful insight. When I read your post, it seemed obvious but I hadn't connected those two factors before. Yes, the addition of Panarin and AA last year on the "second line," with Kane, changed how the main scoring line of the team scores, especially relative to the number of shots. Logically, the Blackhawks number of shots would decrease. It seems like the shot on goal differential is still cause for concern, especially with the other three lines, but this helps explain part of the shift in the last couple of seasons. Cool, thanks again.

Another Blackhawks' blog site that I generally don't like, suggested the Hawks may have to move Hammer this off-season to fit Brradman's new contract under the cap. I can see the logic, since he's signed for two more years, and has an extremely cap friendly contract for as good as he is. He would probably generate a pretty good return. The question I have is how much is it gonna cost to resign Kempny, and what happens if Vegas takes TVR instead of Krueger?

Interesting, I was at the game last night and saw it a little differently. I will admit there were times it was deadly silent in there. Maybe a little something to do with the "giveaway" crowd. It seems like every promotional giveaway draws a different type of fan base.

-Kempny was put in some bad situations by his teammates several times which led to turnovers. Also, IMO, Seabrook has been awful lately, which has a direct effect on how his partner looks. Q stapled Kempny to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game, but your other option now with Forsling down in the Rock is Rosival. May as well let Kempny learn.

-Toews is obviously not 100%, but his play lately has been pretty good. Seems like he is making an effort to be a little bit more offensive minded. His line is generating shots and scoring chances. Puck was bouncing a lot last night, for both teams, and a few prime chances just bounced wrong for Toews. Something I did notice last night that you dont see much from Toews is that several times he was the last one back into the D zone, and not from a lack of hustle standpoint, but from a linger in the neutral zone and wait for a breakout standpoint.

-I don't mind TooToo, but not sure I see him in the lineup once Kruger gets back. I think Kero, Rasmussen and Desjardins are playing their roles well
- TheTrob

I don't disagree on Seabrook but it seems Seabrook a lot of times is partnered with younger D men for whatever reason. I like Kempny but he was bad a lot last night, on the shift before he got benched he had 2 horrific turnovers that had nothing to do with Seabrook. One he tried to spin out of the corner and flat out gave it to the Nashville player.

Thought Campbell was very good. I could survive without TVR. He doesnt' do much for me. If Bowman is looking to land a top 6 winger I would shop TVR. You still have 4 good D men left in 2,4,7,51 and 6/32/42 would be fine as your 5th-6th.

For the role Tootoo is supposed to play same with 11, I thought both were excellent. They had some nice shifts and both were moving well. Of course their best is average is to a top 6 guy and most upper echelon top 9 guys, but for the role they are supposed to play they were excellent.

Agree to disagree on 19. I thought he was bad. He was noticeable in a bad way a few times, and take away bouncing pucks. He looked weak and was moved of fhe puck very easily a few times. based on his lack of physicality and skating it looks back related and where that goes from here is anyone's guess but I won't be surprised to hear he's having some sort of procedure after the season ends.

Breadman is a 1LW. I am not being critical of your post in any way, shape or form. But IMO for the purpose of this blog, especially when talking about trades, acceptable LW candidates and the price we may need to pay is drastically different when talking about 1LW's and 2LW's. The fact that that player may play with Toews and Hossa on what has always been considered the top line not withstanding.
- -Doh-

agree and 72-15-88 is your 1st line. No question.

So looking for 2lw is necessary as this team gets better if you slide Vinny down and gives you more depth.

Tootoo serves a purpose against a larger physical team, say STL. Can never have too many Fs or Ds who are NHL ready as I don't think Schamltz or Motte are ready at this point regardless of how much they tear up the AHL. Both were very ordinary for large portions of their seasons so far with the Hawks.

Same way they won 2 Stanley Cups with him—if we use your logic. I mean, that is what you were trying to do, right?.
- John Jaeckel

Would love know how banged up that wrist is again....fact he is wearing a splint and out for weeks tells me it's not good. Which then is a huge blow based on his position and the importance for the team. Which is why IMO if Kero can put up decent FO% numbers then you may need to roll 16 as a checking role with 11 and X who can help shadow guys come spring time. A role 16 relishes in and any offense generated is a bonus.

Wholeheartedly agree.
- BMWChiFan

Depends...>When Oduya first got here he was brutal and the Coyotes ran him out of the building and his turnovers led to some ill timed goals against. Can Kempny be that type of project? Guy has a shot, some snarl, but it will be interesting to see how Q reacts to him after a brutal game.

God knows TVR wouldn't even ben thought of to be scratched if he did that........

IMO... Kero is much more NHL ready than Schmaltz, Motte, or Abbott. Hartmann is developing nicely. Trending up. Jury still out if he is going to be a top 6. I am not sure about Hino but I want to see more of him.

Does anyone else think Campbell looks shaky? He has never been physical or a great defender. But he looks lost out there defending when the opposition has the puck in his corner or behind the net. He looks like he has no interest in engaging players, much less winning a board battle. He is really slow retrieving lose pucks in his own end too. just my IMO. Maybe he would do better if he played regularly with the same partner or on his strong side.

I am warning up to Panik. He reminds me of the "good" Bickell. Plays the body. Likes to get physical. Will go to the net and play tough in the corners and along the boards. Good shot. Somehow scores goals. Stick handling, passing, soft hands, creativity, hockey IQ eh ..... not so much. Best on 3rd and 4th line. Could be used on the top two lines from time to time. Last night they had him in front of the net on the PP on the 2nd unit for a shift. Might be ok in that role.
- -Doh-

Apparently, Q agrees with you on Campbell. He has either been a scratch or second lowest TOI (TVR has been ahead of him) the last 4-5 games.