I like Desjardins and Tootoo alreight. But the guys contributes nothing to the offense. 63 games no points and a minus 12 between them. How the heck did Desjardins score 8 goals last year.

I hope they do not sit Kero or Schmaltz when Kruger comes back. Keep Kero and Kruger as 3rd and 4th line C's. Have Moose play a wing. Sit Desjardins and Tootoo.
- -Doh-

I would expect Kero to stay for sure and probably even on the 3rd line. But the important thing is that he stays regardless of the line. If Schmaltz isn't getting significant time he might as well go back to Rockford.

Well Minny lost, so the Hawks gained some ground.

Hawks are on pace for 109 points season to date so far, would be the 3rd best regular season of the Kane/Toews Era, with the best being the lockout shortened 48 games followed by the 2010 cup winning team. It may not be pretty but this team finds ways to win close games and that gives them a fighting chance in the playoffs.

I would expect Kero to stay for sure and probably even on the 3rd line. But the important thing is that he stays regardless of the line. If Schmaltz isn't getting significant time he might as well go back to Rockford.
- DarthKane

I think both Kero and Schmaltz need to keep playing unless the effort falls off. Didn't Q also comment today that he doesn't see Kero's position in the lineup changing when Kruger gets back. Obviously that could change in one shift with Q, but the Hawks could do well with Toews, AA, Kero, Kruger in the middle. Fairly good defense first type C group.

I'd personally go with something like...

Schmaltz - Toews - Hartman
Panarin - AA - Kane
Hino - Kero - Hossa
Rasmussen - Kruger - Panik

I'd give Schmaltz a chance to click with Toews/Hartman. The 3rd line can stay together and try to have success vs the 3rd pairings and the 4th line can grind it out.

I think both Kero and Schmaltz need to keep playing unless the effort falls off. Didn't Q also comment today that he doesn't see Kero's position in the lineup changing when Kruger gets back. Obviously that could change in one shift with Q, but the Hawks could do well with Toews, AA, Kero, Kruger in the middle. Fairly good defense first type C group.

I'd personally go with something like...

Schmaltz - Toews - Hartman
Panarin - AA - Kane
Hino - Kero - Hossa
Rasmussen - Kruger - Panik

I'd give Schmaltz a chance to click with Toews/Hartman. The 3rd line can stay together and try to have success vs the 3rd pairings and the 4th line can grind it out.
- breadbag

I wouldn't mind seeing more of Panik/Hartman/Toews, I think that could be a solid line.

Kempny really just isn't as effective as I was hoping he would be. He was somewhat further along in his development than many other youngsters on D we've seen these past few years, and I've just been overall disappointed in his performance.
- SimpleJack

Kempny has some miscues every once in a while, but he's been one of the more 'effective' d-men on the team in terms of helping drive/maintain possession and prevent the other team from entering the zone.





And if Q won't play Keith-Searbook together, Kempny is literally the only player on the Hawks right now that does not impact Seabrook negatively or vice versa. Kempny is ideal next to Seabrook (because he helps boost Seabrook) or with TVR (optimize Kempny's possession for helping with bumslaying).

Interesting statistical perspective. Good to know. But I still feel like he makes far too many errors in his own end.

Kempny has some miscues every once in a while, but he's been one of the more 'effective' d-men on the team in terms of helping drive/maintain possession and prevent the other team from entering the zone.

And if Q won't play Keith-Searbook together, Kempny is literally the only player on the Hawks right now that does not impact Seabrook negatively or vice versa. Kempny is ideal next to Seabrook (because he helps boost Seabrook) or with TVR (optimize Kempny's possession for helping with bumslaying).
- L_B_R

And Kempny will have plenty of time to explain these stats to Q while he 's stapled to the bench for the next three weeks.

Interesting statistical perspective. Good to know. But I still feel like he makes far too many errors in his own end.
- SimpleJack

I don't disagree, though it's probable that Kempny's errors are highlighted by the fact that they have the puck often (like most possession players). I've noticed he does misjudge gap in-zone, which is somewhat weird since he judges it well at the blue line. A few tracking projects cover in-zone breakdowns as well (I only have access to passing/transition though).

He is also definitely better when he tries to skate the puck out vs passing out. He does not pass much in general - prefers to skate and shot when he has the puck. That's partially why his possession numbers are so good - he's the d-man with the highest individual shot attempt rate by a decent margin, 4 SAT per 60 more than Keith. Keith would likely be higher if he was getting the deployment/usage he got before being paired with Hjammer (and/or his knee injury).

I will note that Kempny's individual PDO is only 98.4 bc he's receiving the lowest sv% when on the ice (a paltry .914), so that could be some bad luck in there. Even still, when he is with Seabrook, their GF% is 54% (xGF 55%), so they're on the ice for more goals than against. His numbers have gotten better over the coarse of a season, minus the bump around when he was benches / paired with Rozsival.

So yeah, I def think it's fair to say Kempny is definitely still learning and does make some mistakes in-zone that a more seasoned guy might not, but it's also likely true that his positive outweigh those negative. His natural ability is obvious, it's the experience he needs imo.

And Kempny will have plenty of time to explain these stats to Q while he 's stapled to the bench for the next three weeks.
- busmaster

I'd be hopeful that Q would let Kempny play more rather than being press boxed at this point. Guy needs experience more than anything as he's obviously an asset to the team and several of the vets have made worst mistakes. Up until the 3rd, Kempny was having a solid if unextraordinary game - as evidenced by him playing more at 5v5 in the 1st, for example. Oh well. I like when the Hawks win and Kempny typically helps with that so I prefer him in the lineup.

I'd be hopeful that Q would let Kempny play more rather than being press boxed at this point. Guy needs experience more than anything as he's obviously an asset to the team and several of the vets have made worst mistakes. Up until the 3rd, Kempny was having a solid if unextraordinary game - as evidenced by him playing more at 5v5 in the 1st, for example. Oh well. I like when the Hawks win and Kempny typically helps with that so I prefer him in the lineup.
- L_B_R

Kempny is unlikely to get benched at this point. He's shown improvement in some major areas. His angles to the puck are the best on the team right now. He cuts off opponents from getting to the corner to start a cycle game. That's HUGE. He's also forming excellent chemistry with Seabrook.

Kempny has some miscues every once in a while, but he's been one of the more 'effective' d-men on the team in terms of helping drive/maintain possession and prevent the other team from entering the zone.





And if Q won't play Keith-Searbook together, Kempny is literally the only player on the Hawks right now that does not impact Seabrook negatively or vice versa. Kempny is ideal next to Seabrook (because he helps boost Seabrook) or with TVR (optimize Kempny's possession for helping with bumslaying).
- L_B_R

Kempny does make mistakes. But I would keep throwing him out there. He shows some physicality and energy and some upside offensively. He has only played 34 NHL games.

Kempny has some miscues every once in a while, but he's been one of the more 'effective' d-men on the team in terms of helping drive/maintain possession and prevent the other team from entering the zone.





And if Q won't play Keith-Searbook together, Kempny is literally the only player on the Hawks right now that does not impact Seabrook negatively or vice versa. Kempny is ideal next to Seabrook (because he helps boost Seabrook) or with TVR (optimize Kempny's possession for helping with bumslaying).
- L_B_R

Unfortunately, there is no analytic for 'taking a stupid, lazy penalty in the 3rd period of a game your team is leading by 2 goals'.

Unfortunately, there is no analytic for 'taking a stupid, lazy penalty in the 3rd period of a game your team is leading by 2 goals'.
- scottak

Stop with the "Taking a bad penalty" talk. Did you watch the game? How can Panik and Hossa be held (just as bad or worse) and no call be made? Face it, the Refs decide what and when to call, no matter what anyone will tell you.

If you are going to criticize Kampny for that penalty, then you might as well criticize ever player in the league, because they all perform some kind of penalty multiple times a game.

Stop with the "Taking a bad penalty" talk. Did you watch the game? How can Panik and Hossa be held (just as bad or worse) and no call be made? Face it, the Refs decide what and when to call, no matter what anyone will tell you.

If you are going to criticize Kampny for that penalty, then you might as well criticize ever player in the league, because they all perform some kind of penalty multiple times a game.
- powerenforcer

Yeah, yeah, it's all a conspiracy. How about we just agree that at their best the ref's in this league are wildly inconsistent.

The Chicago cups are over! Good run but it's done! Us Flame fans will have to wait only another decade.
- Clyde334

Well, good luck on the wait. Its been worth it . I dunno if the Hawks have zero cups left , They sure did blow the 2014 CUP , if they would have won that one , thats 4 for Toews , then Id agree they were done Cup lifting .

If we are being realistic this current Hawks team as is can win maybe 1 or 2 more series.

I hope Kruger comes back and helps the PK, Maybe add a vet D somehow and of course a speedy LW that can hang in the top 6 would be nice. Doubt all 3 of those problems get fixed

still say (frank) the nucks....but hey they played a very good

game...miller has been a rock in net...
- bogiedoc

I'd be hopeful that Q would let Kempny play more rather than being press boxed at this point. Guy needs experience more than anything as he's obviously an asset to the team and several of the vets have made worst mistakes. Up until the 3rd, Kempny was having a solid if unextraordinary game - as evidenced by him playing more at 5v5 in the 1st, for example. Oh well. I like when the Hawks win and Kempny typically helps with that so I prefer him in the lineup.
- L_B_R

Agreed. Especially with Forsling in Rockford.

Stop with the "Taking a bad penalty" talk. Did you watch the game? How can Panik and Hossa be held (just as bad or worse) and no call be made? Face it, the Refs decide what and when to call, no matter what anyone will tell you.

If you are going to criticize Kampny for that penalty, then you might as well criticize ever player in the league, because they all perform some kind of penalty multiple times a game.
- powerenforcer

Yup, I watched the game. It doesn't matter what the refs don't call. Basic hockey instruction is when you are protecting a lead, you don't put your team shorthanded unless you are doing something to stop a scoring chance. A trip or hold or hook to prevent a breakaway is a good penalty. Holding your opponent behind the net when the puck has moved to the corner is a bad penalty.

Well, good luck on the wait. Its been worth it . I dunno if the Hawks have zero cups left , They sure did blow the 2014 CUP , if they would have won that one , thats 4 for Toews , then Id agree they were done Cup lifting .

If we are being realistic this current Hawks team as is can win maybe 1 or 2 more series.

I hope Kruger comes back and helps the PK, Maybe add a vet D somehow and of course a speedy LW that can hang in the top 6 would be nice. Doubt all 3 of those problems get fixed
- mrpaulish

This. This team as is, can win the the Cup this year. Im not putting money on it or nothing, but this team is good enough. I think we all agree as built this team can make the playoffs and win 1 series. The question is can they win the next 3 to go with it? if a few things go right, sure we can win 4 series.

If 88 goes nuts, yes.... if Crawford gets hot, yes... if Seabrook finds his old game and the Defense improves, Yes... If Toews finds a wing combo that works for him, Yes. give me 2 of those 4 things happening, and I like our chances to beat ANY team in a 7 game series. Will it happen, who knows.

Kero has earned his spot i think. Desi/Tootoo to the press box.

Agreed on Lines above.

Panarin-AA-Kane
Hartman-Toews-Schmaltz/Panik
Hino-Kero-Hoss
Ras-Kruger-Schmaltz/Panik

hell yea




Again , im (frank)ing amazed that goalies go down and stay down as long as they do.
- mrpaulish

It's easier when people are 6' plus. I saw an info-graphic during the leafs-sens game that said only ~5% of the NHL goaltenders are under 6', down 10% every decade since the 80's

Agreed. Especially with Forsling in Rockford.
- busmaster

Forsling is going to be a good one. I hope he's getting plenty of minutes there.

Does anyone watch much IceHog hockey? How is Gustafson doing?