You are playing fantasy league hockey again - what team in the NHL has cap space to take on big salaries without giving one back in a player the Hawks don't want anyway?

Go ahead and trade Keith, watch what they get back for him - it won't be anything that makes you happy. Think Shattenkirk is better - there's an option that the Blues would jump on real quick.

Sometimes the opponent merits a thumbs up - the Lightning took it to them in the 3rd period and their goaltender was great. And Pittsburgh and Washington looked half asleep last night too. I don't think they woke up this morning looking to trade Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Holtby and Backstrom.
- RickJ

Eh, but Pittsburgh and Washington have been more consistent game in and game out then the Hawks.

That's the difference. I agree they aren't making any major moves in season but come June....all bets are off. Especially if 72 finishes in the top 10 for scoring. That's another 1.725 that hits the books for next year.

[quote=SteveRain]It's easy to go off the deep end after a collapse like last night but the fact remains the holes and warts on this team are still there and still rare their ugly head at least once a game which ends up hurting this team on the scoreboard.

-Toews/Keith: I agree with John. Both still look hurt to me and while the beat writers can mention all about Toews flying around, he rarely gets dominated at the dot and I'm not buying he's not dealing with a moderate injury either in his hand/arm/shoulder or back.

Keith looks exhausted at times and timid. That 1st goal against he gave a half @ss mens league back check as the guy split him and Hammer. His explosiveness is gone and maybe Keith needs to adapt his game to what his body WILL allow instead of what it USED to allow?


I was at the game last night, so I don't know what was said/shown on TV, but I will give you my .02:

1. 19 was one of the top players all night. Only guy out there that was consistently noticeable. At one point (I think in the 3rd) he was knocked down and fell awkwardly near the bench. He was slow to get up and was holding his (right?) elbow/shoulder. I didn't see his numbers at the dot overall, but this could've affected him on the goal (which should've been saved).

2. On that first goal Boyle finished his check on Keith (and knocked him down) allowing him to get behind him. That was Hammer's play the whole way as he had the angle. If you want to blame Keith for a goal, it was the second Johnson goal in front of the net. Not sure why he chase the puck carrier around the net

Other thoughts:

- Kero can't win a draw

- Neither can anyone else not named Kruger or Toews

- Q shielding the bottom 2 lines by giving them favorable starting positions

- 88 looks stupid on a goalie

- Vasilevskiy didn't have to make too many hard saves

- Crawford gave up 2 he should've had and had some positioning issues throughout the night

- Schmaltz looked bad and took a bad penalty

- Too much perimeter on the PP

Well if your mantra is "One Goal" and that "One Goal" is to win the Stanley Cup then isn't it a little contradictory to openly state you may stand pat at the deadline due to cap space but more important you dont' see yourself trading draft picks because you have accumulated a bunch and are intent on making a splash since you are hosting? Those aren't my words, those are from Stanley Bowman in a November interview with LeBrun.

This is a inconsistent team. That's the problem. They play well in spurts but can they put it together for 60 minutes given their personnel come playoff time? having doubts about that are legitimate.

And each year that passes salaries get higher, cap constraints are more realistic and your core has another year on its plate so your window slowly gets smaller.
- SteveRain

Show me a team that doesn't start the year thinking they can win the cup.
If they are planning to make a splash then they must see opportunity. Edmonton made 5 "splashes " before they got lucky and McGretsky was available. We got lucky with Kane and Taaves.
Perhaps the inconsistencies are because of the rooks, perhaps old age. Either way, the future will be here and going into the playoffs with a patchwork quilt of p k ayers that Q doesn't trust is not a good recipe. IMHO. The goal is to win after all and there u s never a guarantee.

GO HOCKS

Show me a team that doesn't start the year thinking they can win the cup.
If they are planning to make a splash then they must see opportunity. Edmonton made 5 "splashes " before they got lucky and McGretsky was available. We got lucky with Kane and Taaves.
Perhaps the inconsistencies are because of the rooks, perhaps old age. Either way, the future will be here and going into the playoffs with a patchwork quilt of p k ayers that Q doesn't trust is not a good recipe. IMHO. The goal is to win after all and there u s never a guarantee.

GO HOCKS
- hocktock

I'm not in hockey opps but everything I have read said it's a decent draft. Results are mixed. I think the splash is geared towards appeasing those who are in attendance and being the talk of the draft at your own venue.

Agreed on the rest.....we shall see how the season plays out but if youre' going to put your mantra of "One Goal" out there, then there needs to be accountability of holding that same team to it. Sitting pat with a loaded line up is one thing, and this team doesn't have it.

My struggle is I don't think a big physical D man does much to help them, and to land the winger you need.....what realistically can they trade to get it?

That's the problem....hawks may go shopping with a maxed credit card.

Is it possible that Keith's 32 year old body just can't keep up with his style of play anymore? He's basically a natural forward playing defense, and he's not big enough to adjust his style or take hits like Hammer does to make plays.

Eh, but Pittsburgh and Washington have been more consistent game in and game out then the Hawks.

That's the difference. I agree they aren't making any major moves in season but come June....all bets are off. Especially if 72 finishes in the top 10 for scoring. That's another 1.725 that hits the books for next year.
- SteveRain

Consistency in the NHL - phooey!! That has essentially been abandoned. There are basically 2 leagues now - one in the East one in the West. All a team really has to do is make the Top 8 to qualify for the Cup Lottery. Its even easier in the West because of fewer teams and 2 Junior B level clubs in Arizona and Colorado.

What league anywhere has some teams with 6 games in hand on another or have referees that all interpret the rule book differently. (Dis you see that penalty shot that was awarded to San Jose last night - wasn't even a penalty).

Almost all teams go on little winning streak runs now, the Islanders are the latest. The best teams minimize their losing streaks at 2 or maximum 3 games. That is as consistent as it gets.

Consistency in the NHL - phooey!! That has essentially been abandoned. There are basically 2 leagues now - one in the East one in the West. All a team really has to do is make the Top 8 to qualify for the Cup Lottery. Its even easier in the West because of fewer teams and 2 Junior B level clubs in Arizona and Colorado.

What league anywhere has some teams with 6 games in hand on another or have referees that all interpret the rule book differently. (Dis you see that penalty shot that was awarded to San Jose last night - wasn't even a penalty).

Almost all teams go on little winning streak runs now, the Islanders are the latest. The best teams minimize their losing streaks at 2 or maximum 3 games. That is as consistent as it gets.
- RickJ

NFL officiating is just as horse crap as the NHL.

Agreed on the scheduling as it's ridiculous.

East has very little travel. Especially in the Metro division. Hawks have lots of miles to rack up to get out west, and even in the division to face Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg.

Consistency is a game by game thing. The hawks are a train wreck in that department. Play well for 30 minutes, and suck it for the other half. How many games have they come out flat and been dominated only to be up slightly or tied thanks to goaltending? Or in reverse gotten a lead and then blown it when the other team turns it "on"? That's what I am talking about in regards to consistency.

I dont' know what my expectations are for this team. Usually by now I do, but they are maddening to watch and just haven't learned how to go for the kill with this particular group like they have when they are a cup contender.

NFL officiating is just as horse crap as the NHL.

Agreed on the scheduling as it's ridiculous.

East has very little travel. Especially in the Metro division. Hawks have lots of miles to rack up to get out west, and even in the division to face Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg.

Consistency is a game by game thing. The hawks are a train wreck in that department. Play well for 30 minutes, and suck it for the other half. How many games have they come out flat and been dominated only to be up slightly or tied thanks to goaltending? Or in reverse gotten a lead and then blown it when the other team turns it "on"? That's what I am talking about in regards to consistency.

I dont' know what my expectations are for this team. Usually by now I do, but they are maddening to watch and just haven't learned how to go for the kill with this particular group like they have when they are a cup contender.
- SteveRain

That's why I wouldn't mind seeing the NHL head more towards the NFL/MLB model of conferences, where each conference has teams across the nation(s), while still retaining some geographic proximity (where possible) in the divisions. It just seems more fair to spread out the conferences in that manner.

In other news, the Athletic had an interesting fancy stat article today about the use of passing statistics to predict scoring rates.

https://theathletic.com/3...ing-strengths-weaknesses/

That's why I wouldn't mind seeing the NHL head more towards the NFL/MLB model of conferences, where each conference has teams across the nation(s), while still retaining some geographic proximity (where possible) in the divisions. It just seems more fair to spread out the conferences in that manner.

In other news, the Athletic had an interesting fancy stat article today about the use of passing statistics to predict scoring rates.

https://theathletic.com/3...ing-strengths-weaknesses/
- Hank_Greenberg

Western teams have won 5 of the 7 Cups since 2010 - travel is certainly worse in the West, but talent is cyclical - and talent will usually win.

NFL officiating is just as horse crap as the NHL.

Agreed on the scheduling as it's ridiculous.

East has very little travel. Especially in the Metro division. Hawks have lots of miles to rack up to get out west, and even in the division to face Dallas, Colorado and Winnipeg.

Consistency is a game by game thing. The hawks are a train wreck in that department. Play well for 30 minutes, and suck it for the other half. How many games have they come out flat and been dominated only to be up slightly or tied thanks to goaltending? Or in reverse gotten a lead and then blown it when the other team turns it "on"? That's what I am talking about in regards to consistency.

I dont' know what my expectations are for this team. Usually by now I do, but they are maddening to watch and just haven't learned how to go for the kill with this particular group like they have when they are a cup contender.
- SteveRain

Expectations for this team: win a couple, lose a couple, do well against the bottom, not so well against the top. A decent team with holes - like every other team.

Out in the first round of the tournament - or the second - or the third....

Who - besides maybe (MAYBE) the Wild - is scary in West? Who is a definite lock to beat Chicago - or to lose to them?

Bettman is realizing his parity dream....

Expectations for this team: win a couple, lose a couple, do well against the bottom, not so well against the top. A decent team with holes - like every other team.

Out in the first round of the tournament - or the second - or the third....

Who - besides maybe (MAYBE) the Wild - is scary in West? Who is a definite lock to beat Chicago - or to lose to them?

Bettman is realizing his parity dream....
- StLBravesFan

Valid point and honestly, they can beat ANYONE in the west but they could lose to ANYONE as well.

Especially if 2/4/7/19 are dragging like they are our now. IF those guys are already playing at 75% and face a physical 1st round opponent, squeak by, what do they have left?

we have seen teams like the Kings and Sharks limp in and then get pounded in the 1st round only to bow out because they were plhysically drained.

That's why I keep saying Q and the training staff really need to monitor these guys because at this point is their a TRULY favorable matchup in the west being 1st or 2nd or 3rd in the central division?

Expectations for this team: win a couple, lose a couple, do well against the bottom, not so well against the top. A decent team with holes - like every other team.

Out in the first round of the tournament - or the second - or the third....

Who - besides maybe (MAYBE) the Wild - is scary in West? Who is a definite lock to beat Chicago - or to lose to them?

Bettman is realizing his parity dream....
- StLBravesFan

But he still hasn't figured out that hockey in the south makes no sense (and cents).

Western teams have won 5 of the 7 Cups since 2010 - travel is certainly worse in the West, but talent is cyclical - and talent will usually win.
- StLBravesFan

That's true, Sage, but it doesn't mean the disproportionate travel obligations on teams in the West is any less unfair.

Plus, realignment is all part of my scheme to get the hated Red Wings back in the Hawks' division ....

Valid point and honestly, they can beat ANYONE in the west but they could lose to ANYONE as well.

Especially if 2/4/7/19 are dragging like they are our now. IF those guys are already playing at 75% and face a physical 1st round opponent, squeak by, what do they have left?

we have seen teams like the Kings and Sharks limp in and then get pounded in the 1st round only to bow out because they were plhysically drained.

That's why I keep saying Q and the training staff really need to monitor these guys because at this point is their a TRULY favorable matchup in the west being 1st or 2nd or 3rd in the central division?
- SteveRain

Come playoff time, I don't think the Hawks lose based on the play of 2/4/7/19. Those guys show up and go hard every single year. The most important thing for the team right now are the complimentary pieces. Filling out the roster with the right players to grind it out and win those tight games. Keep evaluating the young guys and the depth players. Find that missing top 6 LW.

The vets on the team know the situation and Q will manage their rest going into the playoffs. This isn't 2011 where they had to gut it out to make the postseason only to run out of steam vs Vancouver.

But he still hasn't figured out that hockey in the south makes no sense (and cents).
- powerenforcer

But it does.

Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Carolina, Vegas - without those teams, you don't have national programming to offer (currently) programming-starved NBC on non-football Sundays in February-April, or to their sports network on Wednesdays and whatever other nights the puck games up (that network can't survive on British soccer and auto auctions - they need programming, but it must have a national component - even if few are watching).

Without the Southern cities, the US national TV contract would be dramatically reduced.

But it does.

Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Carolina, Vegas - without those teams, you don't have national programming to offer (currently) programming-starved NBC on non-football Sundays in February-April, or to their sports network on Wednesdays and whatever other nights the puck games up (that network can't survive on British soccer and auto auctions - they need programming, but it must have a national component - even if few are watching).

Without the Southern cities, the US national TV contract would be dramatically reduced.
- StLBravesFan

What national TV contract? NBCSN? 1 game a weekend on NBC?

A lot really rides on Keith being able to do Keith like things. He's been at a very high level the last 10 years and was bound to hit a bump due to injury or age or (though no one wants to ever talk about it) just having an off year. He's probably allowed a sub his standard at some point.

Anyway, the west is bad enough where their playoff position is pretty much locked in, especially since Minnesota has 3 games in hand. You get Crow his games since he is the guy and he needs to get right at some time.

An off night for some of the veterans here or there is not a terrible idea either.

Back to the west, that side of the table is so ridiculous that they could back their way through the playoffs and end up in the Cup finals and not know how they got there. It is going to be a bizarre spring and weird summer with the draft here.

What national TV contract? NBCSN? 1 game a weekend on NBC?
- powerenforcer

And the play-offs - but - yes - $200MM per year, I think - not much compared to NFL, NBA, MLB - but the largest US contract ever for the NHL - and probably no where near as much without the national presence (if they could get a contract at all).

[quote=SteveRain]It's easy to go off the deep end after a collapse like last night but the fact remains the holes and warts on this team are still there and still rare their ugly head at least once a game which ends up hurting this team on the scoreboard.

-Toews/Keith: I agree with John. Both still look hurt to me and while the beat writers can mention all about Toews flying around, he rarely gets dominated at the dot and I'm not buying he's not dealing with a moderate injury either in his hand/arm/shoulder or back.

Keith looks exhausted at times and timid. That 1st goal against he gave a half @ss mens league back check as the guy split him and Hammer. His explosiveness is gone and maybe Keith needs to adapt his game to what his body WILL allow instead of what it USED to allow?


I was at the game last night, so I don't know what was said/shown on TV, but I will give you my .02:

1. 19 was one of the top players all night. Only guy out there that was consistently noticeable. At one point (I think in the 3rd) he was knocked down and fell awkwardly near the bench. He was slow to get up and was holding his (right?) elbow/shoulder. I didn't see his numbers at the dot overall, but this could've affected him on the goal (which should've been saved).

2. On that first goal Boyle finished his check on Keith (and knocked him down) allowing him to get behind him. That was Hammer's play the whole way as he had the angle. If you want to blame Keith for a goal, it was the second Johnson goal in front of the net. Not sure why he chase the puck carrier around the net

Other thoughts:

- Kero can't win a draw

- Neither can anyone else not named Kruger or Toews

- Q shielding the bottom 2 lines by giving them favorable starting positions

- 88 looks stupid on a goalie

- Vasilevskiy didn't have to make too many hard saves

- Crawford gave up 2 he should've had and had some positioning issues throughout the night

- Schmaltz looked bad and took a bad penalty

- Too much perimeter on the PP
- Antz96

I was at the game too and I saw exactly what you saw. I thought Toews had his best game of the year. He won most of the face offs early on but did lose the draw to Boyle on the tying goal. It looks to me as though Keith is having a real problem pushing off his right leg when he needs to accelerate.

A couple of us discussed the merits of picking up Brian Boyle at the TDL in the last blog. It didn't get much support.
I want to say that he didn't look bad last night and his play did not appear to have the deficiencies described.

A couple of us discussed the merits of picking up Brian Boyle at the TDL in the last blog. It didn't get much support.
I want to say that he didn't look bad last night and his play did not appear to have the deficiencies described.
- 67hawks

He put on a show, that's for sure.

I was at the game too and I saw exactly what you saw. I thought Toews had his best game of the year. He won most of the face offs early on but did lose the draw to Boyle on the tying goal. It looks to me as though Keith is having a real problem pushing off his right leg when he needs to accelerate.
- FourOrr

When he plays like that, the whole team looks a few notches better. Very encouraging to see.

NHL Fantasy rankings for the top defensemen. Don't know specifically how this is scored, but the rank is based on goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, power-play points, and shots on goal. In other words, here's a list of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. The list is as of January 25th with only two Hawks in the top 50.

1. Brent Burns, SJS
2. Erik Karlsson, OTT
3. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
4. Shea Weber, MTL
5. Victor Hedman, TBL
6. Ryan Suter, MIN
7. Duncan Keith, CHI
8. Kevin Shattenkirk, STL
9. Drew Doughty, LAK
10. P.K. Subban, NSH

30. Brent Seabrook CHI

NHL Fantasy rankings for the top defensemen. Don't know specifically how this is scored, but the rank is based on goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, power-play points, and shots on goal. In other words, here's a list of the top offensive defensemen in the NHL. The list is as of January 25th with only two Hawks in the top 50.

1. Brent Burns, SJS
2. Erik Karlsson, OTT
3. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG
4. Shea Weber, MTL
5. Victor Hedman, TBL
6. Ryan Suter, MIN
7. Duncan Keith, CHI
8. Kevin Shattenkirk, STL
9. Drew Doughty, LAK
10. P.K. Subban, NSH

30. Brent Seabrook CHI
- etchtech

Seabrook looks like he is playing with a wrong ways stick all the time, like his blade is curved the wrong way . Pucks get past that dude like no other .

People on this thread aren't understanding the 2017 NHL and parity. It has not been like this ever.
4 points separate 8 teams in the East

Hawks need 100 points / and reset for the playoffs

Every team has holes and looks tired some nights, has up and down goal tending, special teams, face offs on and on and on

It's the dog days of the season
It's a grind

It will all look better April 1