Aside from cleanly losing that draw, I like what I've seen from Toews the past two games. I have long said on here that he had to be playing hurt, and that could be what he was dealing with recently. I think the next part of it is the fear of reinjury once healthy. Hopefully he is past all that now.
- 333inthe3rd

Wish he was resting this weekend and not attending that all star thing.

Rozsival not skating today. Expecting same D pairings for #Blackhawks

— Brian Hedger (@BrianHedger) January 26, 2017

Wish he was resting this weekend and not attending that all star thing.
- 67hawks

And risk another one game suspension like last year? That NHL rule is stupid, especially if he is ailing.

And risk another one game suspension like last year? That NHL rule is stupid, especially if he is ailing.
- resqmed99

Don't think of it as a suspension...think of it as "rest."

Wish he was resting this weekend and not attending that all star thing.
- 67hawks

It has been all but confirmed Toews made the 100 greatest of all time, hence, him being "invited" to the ASG. (For example, he's going to be featured on a panel with other active and past 100-greatest players.)

Someone with a big $$ contract will need to be moved. This team needs to get younger and faster.
It's better to trade a guy a year too early...than a year too late.
- tompo1015

Disagree about needing to get get younger. Current roster only averages 28.1. Not that old. Average age of NHL teams 27.3. Elite teams - Wash 27.7, Min 27.4, Pit 28.4. Columbus 28.2. (Source James Mirtle web site.)

It just seems like the Hawks are old because the core has been here for so long. Most of core started in Chicago in their early 20's.

If they do not bring back Campbell, Rosi, Tootoo and Desjardins next year and fill their roster spots with 26 year olds the roster is even younger next year than this year.

Blackhawks lines
Hartman-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Kero-Hinostroza
- jt19

I would rather see Moose than Desjardins. I would rather see Kero with Hossa and Scmaktz. But otherwise I am ok with it.

Disagree about needing to get get younger. Current roster only averages 28.1. Not that old. Average age of NHL teams 27.3. Elite teams - Wash 27.7, Min 27.4, Pit 28.4. Columbus 28.2. (Source James Mirtle web site.)

It just seems like the Hawks are old because the core has been here for so long. Most of core started in Chicago in their early 20's.

If they do not bring back Campbell, Rosi, Tootoo and Desjardins next year and fill their roster spots with 26 year olds the roster is even younger next year than this year.
- -Doh-

The problem you are forgetting is the youngest member of the 8 member core has only two player that are 28 years old( except Panarin) and the rest are over thirty with 3 being 38 years old. Without the core this team would be the worst team in the league.

I would rather see Moose than Desjardins. I would rather see Kero with Hossa and Scmaktz. But otherwise I am ok with it.
- -Doh-

Moose and Desi both have their uses for sure. I'd like to see Moose in there also. Just glad Kruger is back to help stabilize the middle and increase our faceoff percentages...hopefully.

Disagree about needing to get get younger. Current roster only averages 28.1. Not that old. Average age of NHL teams 27.3. Elite teams - Wash 27.7, Min 27.4, Pit 28.4. Columbus 28.2. (Source James Mirtle web site.)

It just seems like the Hawks are old because the core has been here for so long. Most of core started in Chicago in their early 20's.

If they do not bring back Campbell, Rosi, Tootoo and Desjardins next year and fill their roster spots with 26 year olds the roster is even younger next year than this year.
- -Doh-

Ok, let me re-phrase....they need to get younger as far as skilled players. the average age for the team may be 25...but I don't consider guys like Hinostroza highly skilled. Even guys like Panik or Kero, while nice players, are not what I would consider to be "skilled", top level players.

And, guys on the blueline, like Keith and Seabrook are showing signs of age.

Ok, let me re-phrase....they need to get younger as far as skilled players. the average age for the team may be 25...but I don't consider guys like Hinostroza highly skilled. Even guys like Panik or Kero, while nice players, are not what I would consider to be "skilled", top level players.

And, guys on the blueline, like Keith and Seabrook are showing signs of age.
- tompo1015

Now you are cooking

Ok, let me re-phrase....they need to get younger as far as skilled players. the average age for the team may be 25...but I don't consider guys like Hinostroza highly skilled. Even guys like Panik or Kero, while nice players, are not what I would consider to be "skilled", top level players.

And, guys on the blueline, like Keith and Seabrook are showing signs of age.
- tompo1015

Agreed....

I would rather see Moose than Desjardins. I would rather see Kero with Hossa and Scmaktz. But otherwise I am ok with it.
- -Doh-

I agree, but am fine for now for a late January game. If the playoffs started next week, I would consider:

Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Hartman - Toews - Panik
Hinostroza - Kero - Hossa
Desjardins - Kruger - Rasmussen
Schmaltz, Tootoo on the bench

As much as Schmaltz has improved a bit after his demotion to Rockford, I'm not sure if he'd be ready for the playoff grind. I fear he'd get eaten alive and as a result leave his linemates out to dry. There's still plenty of regular season left for him to get more experience and get battle tested, so it is premature to count him out as a playoff starter.

While slower and less in the tool belt, Desjardins at least has playoff experience.

Nikita Tryamkin?
- DarthKane

Dave Koci

I agree, but am fine for now for a late January game. If the playoffs started next week, I would consider:

Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Hartman - Toews - Panik
Hinostroza - Kero - Hossa
Desjardins - Kruger - Rasmussen
Schmaltz, Tootoo on the bench

As much as Schmaltz has improved a bit after his demotion to Rockford, I'm not sure if he'd be ready for the playoff grind. I fear he'd get eaten alive and as a result leave his linemates out to dry. There's still plenty of regular season left for him to get more experience and get battle tested, so it is premature to count him out as a playoff starter.

While slower and less in the tool belt, Desjardins at least has playoff experience.
- AEL_Fox

Good news, Foxy. Based on the rise in the level of chatter the last couple of days, I highly doubt the Hawks lines will look too terribly much like that come April 1.

This could be an interesting deadline for sure. Let me caveat though. if the Hawks REALLY tank the next few weeks and opposing GMs decide not to play ball with Stan because he's in a more desperate position, i could see them postponing any moves of significance to the offseason—where they would do a lot of business.

Some re-engineering is coming, sooner or later. That much I am more and more sure of. Complete overhaul? No. But there may be some opportunities out there before the TDL and in June to possibly make things work a little better possibly both on the ice and the bottom line.

Good news, Foxy. Based on the rise in the level of chatter the last couple of days, I highly doubt the Hawks lines will look too terribly much like that come April 1.

This could be an interesting deadline for sure. Let me caveat though. if the Hawks REALLY tank the next few weeks and opposing GMs decide not to play ball with Stan because he's in a more desperate position, i could see them postponing any moves of significance to the offseason—where they would do a lot of business.

Some re-engineering is coming, sooner or later. That much I am more and more sure of. Complete overhaul? No. But there may be some opportunities out there before the TDL and in June to possibly make things work a little better possibly both on the ice and the bottom line.
- John Jaeckel

Without divulging too much info JJ... Are the hawks more concerned about the defense or forward group?

Good news, Foxy. Based on the rise in the level of chatter the last couple of days, I highly doubt the Hawks lines will look too terribly much like that come April 1.

This could be an interesting deadline for sure. Let me caveat though. if the Hawks REALLY tank the next few weeks and opposing GMs decide not to play ball with Stan because he's in a more desperate position, i could see them postponing any moves of significance to the offseason—where they would do a lot of business.

Some re-engineering is coming, sooner or later. That much I am more and more sure of. Complete overhaul? No. But there may be some opportunities out there before the TDL and in June to possibly make things work a little better possibly both on the ice and the bottom line.
- John Jaeckel

I can see them moving Seabrook, Edmonton will bite.

I can see them moving Seabrook, Edmonton will bite.
- SaskHawkFan

If they can .... do it !

Good news, Foxy. Based on the rise in the level of chatter the last couple of days, I highly doubt the Hawks lines will look too terribly much like that come April 1.

This could be an interesting deadline for sure. Let me caveat though. if the Hawks REALLY tank the next few weeks and opposing GMs decide not to play ball with Stan because he's in a more desperate position, i could see them postponing any moves of significance to the offseason—where they would do a lot of business.

Some re-engineering is coming, sooner or later. That much I am more and more sure of. Complete overhaul? No. But there may be some opportunities out there before the TDL and in June to possibly make things work a little better possibly both on the ice and the bottom line.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, I believe your re-engineering on the horizon forecast. The West has changed to the point that Minnesota and San Jose are probably teams that the Hawks couldn't beat in a playoff series and Edmonton isn't far behind, especially if they can acquire some goaltending and defensive depth. And you can add Winnipeg to that mix eventually with all of their young developing players and possibly going for a high end coach.

On the other hand, nobody would be terribly surprised if the Hawks with a couple of tweaks and some luck came out of the West this year for one last shot at a Cup.

I can see them moving Seabrook, Edmonton will bite.
- SaskHawkFan

Griffin Reinhart? Darisatil? Nurse? Maroon?

Agreed....
- BGKarras

Really??

Keith is 1 1/2 years removed from the Conn Smythe winner. If you want to say Keith or Seabrook are not playing great that is fine. I am not going to be too critical until I see how they play in the playoffs. We can say there level of play has fallen off because they have a lot of miles on them or they are injured. But let's lose the "age" issue. Keith 33. Seabs 31. Next year if you lose Campbell and Rosi your 6 likely defenders are Keith, Seab, Hjamalrsson, TVR, Forsling, Kempny. Pretty good, average age 28 (next year) and the cap hit is very reasonable (as a group).

On the forward side if you lose Tootoo and Desjardins. Your top 6 likely will be Toews, Kane, Panarin, Anisimov, Hossa and Hartmann. Pretty good and average age of 29 (next year). Hossa skews the avg, but he is is in phenomenal shape and still putting up good numbers. (Cap hit is huge, but too late to change that.)

The bottom 6 probably will include Kero, Hinostroza, Schmaltz, Panik, Kruger, and Rasmussen. You can question the quality, but they are a bottom 6. They will average less than 25 years old (next year) and the cap hit will be ridiculously low.

I know we could trade a couple of these players or lose them in the expansion draft before next year. We could also add a veteran forward or defender and get a little older. But we could also add Debrincat or Fortin and get even younger.

My point is we can argue quality of player(s), quality of team, speed of player(s), speed of team. But the "Hawks are getting old fast" argument just is not supported by the numbers. (These are facts unless you are Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.)

JJ, any link to what you are hearing and the shutdown of Varly in COL? Or is it just coincidence?

Without divulging too much info JJ... Are the hawks more concerned about the defense or forward group?
- 93Joe

Forward, in terms of trade targets

JJ, any link to what you are hearing and the shutdown of Varly in COL? Or is it just coincidence?
- powerenforcer

Probably coincidence, COL's not going anywhere this year so losing their #1 for the season means next to nothing

Forward, in terms of trade targets
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ. I Appreciate the info.