Great week of hockey for the Hawks and Jonathan Toews is finally looking like the guy that we all know and love. Toews was indisputably the best 200ft player in the NHL from 2009-2015, but had looked like a shell of his former self for the last 18 months. It is great to see 19 making an impact at both ends of the ice on every shift.

Schmaltz is playing with a ton of confidence and he has been much harder on the puck both while in possession, and defensively.

Keith has been bringing the offense all year, but it was great to see him (mostly) silence McJesus all night. If not for the lackadaisical play by Hammer where 97 stripped him of the puck, they would've kept the future Art Ross winner completely off the score sheet.

Ondrej Palat would be the dream acquisition, IMO. Dude has good size (6'2" 210lbs), has offensive skill, and is extremely competent defensively. He is also a Slovakian comrade, IIRC....
- EnzoD

Looks like a different player since he came back up.

AT 31 and limited to no scoring ability, Desi is running out of racetrack in the NHL.
- RickJ

yep.

Here's more stuff that Stan can't say....

....Whose gonna beat Warshington? (Who was gonna beat the Hocks in 2010? It was destiny.) Not saying you don't try, but this is a year that you consider rentals a bust, imo. If you can get a player you can sign beyond this season, that's the play.)

....The rest really helped these guys. (The whole point is the Cup. 2nd place is crap. If you can't win it all, a second round departure is more helpful than a fall in to the cup final.) I know. No one can compete that way, but it's true.

....We're gonna load up for next year. (4 cups in 9 seasons is just as good. 5 in 10 is better.) Can Hoss still be the boss for 2 more? (?)

Dats all.

G H
- hocktock

Washington had 120 points last season. They got beat. They are great regular season performers. Have yet to prove it in the post season.

Probably the best NHL defender since Lidstrom retired. If he didn't have that knee injury you'd expect to get a high level of play from him until at least 35 and maybe one miracle out of the last 3.

Certainly a better gamble since he's shown no signs of slowing down until now. And perhaps he bounces back. For a player with his physical gifts he could still be quite productive into his later years. He's a 10 million dollar player they're paying 5 and change for...

Also, the success of this team is based more on Keith's game being at a high level than Seabs or anyone else on the blue line. He is the engine and when that breaks down the wheels and everything else fall off.
- fattybeef

N of 2-3 games, but Keith has looked "better" to this observer of late, making more plays in tight space, looking a bit more graceful. Which if legit, has to have the Hawks feeling better about their chances. The week off will definitely help as well.

Washington had 120 points last season. They got beat. They are great regular season performers. Have yet to prove it in the post season.
- JRoenick97

Would not be the first time a regular season juggernaut went down in the playoffs.

All that said . . . they have a deep roster and all the elements you want: size, speed, scoring depth, goalie and pretty solid defense top to bottom.

And RickJ's favorite coach. Hi-YOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Would not be the first time a regular season juggernaut went down in the playoffs.

All that said . . . they have a deep roster and all the elements you want: size, speed, scoring depth, goalie and pretty solid defense top to bottom.

And RickJ's favorite coach. Hi-YOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
- John Jaeckel

Also... Tom Wilson!

Washington had 120 points last season. They got beat. They are great regular season performers. Have yet to prove it in the post season.
- JRoenick97

The curse of the coach.

I know, I know. You can't think that way as a player but again, didn't you just know it in 2010?

Odds of taking a flyer on a 35+ contract with Oduya over the summer following expansion draft? Not sure if he could be had for a Campbell-type contract, but how sweet would it be to roll back into a 2-7 4-Odie and would leave a pretty solid 3rd pair again for another year??

Great week of hockey for the Hawks and Jonathan Toews is finally looking like the guy that we all know and love. Toews was indisputably the best 200ft player in the NHL from 2009-2015, but had looked like a shell of his former self for the last 18 months. It is great to see 19 making an impact at both ends of the ice on every shift.

Schmaltz is playing with a ton of confidence and he has been much harder on the puck both while in possession, and defensively.

Keith has been bringing the offense all year, but it was great to see him (mostly) silence McJesus all night. If not for the lackadaisical play by Hammer where 97 stripped him of the puck, they would've kept the future Art Ross winner completely off the score sheet.

Ondrej Palat would be the dream acquisition, IMO. Dude has good size (6'2" 210lbs), has offensive skill, and is extremely competent defensively. He is also a Slovakian comrade, IIRC....
- EnzoD

13 points in his last 9 games
7 points in his last 5
getting his name in the scorecard more frequently lately.

Odds of taking a flyer on a 35+ contract with Oduya over the summer following expansion draft? Not sure if he could be had for a Campbell-type contract, but how sweet would it be to roll back into a 2-7 4-Odie and would leave a pretty solid 3rd pair again for another year??
- gringointoronto

I'm in. 2 years at a buck a year. He'd do it for 2 more cups.

G H

I'm in. 2 years at a buck a year. He'd do it for 2 more cups.

G H
- hocktock

Got me wondering what he would drop down to from the $3.75 AAV on his last 2 years. Campbell as the #4 for what is legit a $2.25 AAV - bonuses were all but guaranteed- makes me wonder which 35+ guy would make more sense at the same dollar amount.

Can't discount how damn healthy Campbell seems to stay year in and year out, but that shutdown pairing with Hammer and Odie (even with 1-arm!) was incredible.

Hey J.j., those puckcasts are really painful to listen to. I almost bailed before you got on in the last one. You are the only reason to listen, I must say. When do those other guys graduate high school?

Anyway, I endured it to listen to you, even though I read it all here first. You should get Chris Block out of retirement and do a quality show with him.

Say nothing if you understand.

Go Hocks. (Go J.j.)

Also... Tom Wilson!
- kinigitt

Odds of taking a flyer on a 35+ contract with Oduya over the summer following expansion draft? Not sure if he could be had for a Campbell-type contract, but how sweet would it be to roll back into a 2-7 4-Odie and would leave a pretty solid 3rd pair again for another year??
- gringointoronto

Gotta be honest with ya—not saying categorically it won't happen—but I have heard nothing from my people linking the Hawks to Oduya or Sharp.

Hey J.j., those puckcasts are really painful to listen to. I almost bailed before you got on in the last one. You are the only reason to listen, I must say. When do those other guys graduate high school?

Anyway, I endured it to listen to you, even though I read it all here first. You should get Chris Block out of retirement and do a quality show with him.

Say nothing if you understand.

Go Hocks. (Go J.j.)
- hocktock

Block and Al and I talked about it a couple of times but never did it. What a great guy and smart too.

You're being a little hard on my guys over at ph. Great bunch of dudes. Gate is older than you think.

I think most would agree Duchene is a better player than Palat. But he also cost almost another $3M of cap space which means the Kruger would probably need to be part of a deal to acquire Duchene where Kruger would not have to be dealt in a deal to Acquire Palat.

Therefore, my question is which is the better overall deal for the Hawks - Duchene and losing Kruger OR Palat and keeping Kruger?

Block and Al and I talked about it a couple of times but never did it. What a great guy and smart too.

You're being a little hard on my guys over at ph. Great bunch of dudes. Gate is older than you think.
- John Jaeckel

No. I'm being kind. I'm not saying they're not knowledgeable, just painful.

Great week of hockey for the Hawks and Jonathan Toews is finally looking like the guy that we all know and love. Toews was indisputably the best 200ft player in the NHL from 2009-2015, but had looked like a shell of his former self for the last 18 months. It is great to see 19 making an impact at both ends of the ice on every shift.

Schmaltz is playing with a ton of confidence and he has been much harder on the puck both while in possession, and defensively.

Keith has been bringing the offense all year, but it was great to see him (mostly) silence McJesus all night. If not for the lackadaisical play by Hammer where 97 stripped him of the puck, they would've kept the future Art Ross winner completely off the score sheet.

Ondrej Palat would be the dream acquisition, IMO. Dude has good size (6'2" 210lbs), has offensive skill, and is extremely competent defensively. He is also a Slovakian comrade, IIRC....
- EnzoD

Is he that big? The TB website lists him at 6' 188lbs. That's a big difference..

I follow both on twitter. Agreed. Met Scott when he was with ESPN and got shafted. Never met Dietz but enjoy his standing up to moronic Lazerus.

Tempted to subscribe to the athletic........
- SteveRain

Well worth the money!

Keith hands down has the best/quickest stick defensively in the game

Hjarlmarsson makes his share of boneheaded plays/giveaways in his own zone

Is he that big? The TB website lists him at 6' 188lbs. That's a big difference..
- airmidget1

I'm still not believing that Stan will acquire a big name talent, but I acknowledge that anything is possible. Of all the names that are out there Palat intrigues me the most when it comes to risk (cost)/reward perspective. Palat would fit in well with the top 6 and both specialty team units. Fully acknowledging it's just one game, but I watched the TB/Winnipeg game on Saturday and Palat was all over the place and looks really good (aggressive) on the PK. Not to mention he also had one goal and one assist.

Would not be the first time a regular season juggernaut went down in the playoffs.

All that said . . . they have a deep roster and all the elements you want: size, speed, scoring depth, goalie and pretty solid defense top to bottom.

And RickJ's favorite coach. Hi-YOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
- John Jaeckel

Even Barry Trotz may not be able to blow a first round playoff series this year. But I sure would enjoy it if he did.

Keith hands down has the best/quickest stick defensively in the game

Hjarlmarsson makes his share of boneheaded plays/giveaways in his own zone
- PatShart

They have both made mistakes this season but they have different roles. Hammer blocks they shots, Keith is more offensive. For the money they are both keepers and I don't think can be compared.

GH

I think most would agree Duchene is a better player than Palat. But he also cost almost another $3M of cap space which means the Kruger would probably need to be part of a deal to acquire Duchene where Kruger would not have to be dealt in a deal to Acquire Palat.

Therefore, my question is which is the better overall deal for the Hawks - Duchene and losing Kruger OR Palat and keeping Kruger?
- EbonyRaptor

tough question. the fan boy in me wants to see Duchene next to Toews though.

I think most would agree Duchene is a better player than Palat. But he also cost almost another $3M of cap space which means the Kruger would probably need to be part of a deal to acquire Duchene where Kruger would not have to be dealt in a deal to Acquire Palat.

Therefore, my question is which is the better overall deal for the Hawks - Duchene and losing Kruger OR Palat and keeping Kruger?
- EbonyRaptor

Just my thinking. Palat is easier to keep beyond 2018, true left winger, probably takes less to get him now too.