People can say what they want about the Captain's physical issues but he's the definition of a leader. On the CSN after-game interview with Edzo and Foley; even though he gets his 2nd career 5-point game, all he wants to talk about is the strides Panik and Schmaltz have made. The whole package may not be worth $10.5M but he's worth a lot.

gionta has a NTC clause says he can give a list of 5 teams which might drive the price down a bit Would he be a bottom line RW I would guess.

People can say what they want about the Captain's physical issues but he's the definition of a leader. On the CSN after-game interview with Edzo and Foley; even though he gets his 2nd career 5-point game, all he wants to talk about is the strides Panik and Schmaltz have made. The whole package may not be worth $10.5M but he's worth a lot.
- ILGolfer

Did he mention anything about turning Matt Dumbell into an industrial league looking defenceman for an evening?

When we call defended Toews

Where are the Nay Sayers now
He took that game on his shoulders and showed the rookies what it takes to compete in the Playoffs

Nicely done JT
- Colbyboy

Well, earlier this season 19's play was off - and more on par with a 2C or even 3C. Injured back, or whatever the case - he wasn't performing up to his abilities.

Now? He's definitely back to performing at a 1C caliber.

But there's still that $10.5M cap hit...

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.
- busmaster

14 has no hands? Give me a break with that, the guy can score goals and most of them come from in tight. If you want to pick a guy with no hands, Andrew Desjardins is the poster boy for that, not Panik.

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.
- busmaster

If any/all teams are going to put their best defenseman on the PAK line, it's nice to see the Toews line will score, very important especially once the playoffs start

Well, earlier this season 19's play was off - and more on par with a 2C or even 3C. Injured back, or whatever the case - he wasn't performing up to his abilities.

Now? He's definitely back to performing at a 1C caliber.

But there's still that $10.5M cap hit...
- Chief4Feathers

JT and PK are top players in the NHL. what do other top players get paid? at the times of their extension they were both more accomplished than arguably any other player(s) in the league. if the cap actually went up each year as it was expected to do, their cap hits wouldn't be an issue.

this is the best time for him to get going. he is arguably the most dangerous player come playoff time in a series. he is an absolute monster right now with puck possession. production from his line consistently is starting to show now...IMO the Hawks absolutely dominated tonight. take away that questionable penalty on Kero which allowed Minny back in the game tonight and it was all Hawks.

That's 7 consecutive road wins which ties the franchise record set in Dec. 1964!!!

Hawks lost the cup final to the F'n Habs that year...

If any/all teams are going to put their best defenseman on the PAK line, it's nice to see the Toews line will score, very important especially once the playoffs start
- BetweenTheDots

That 4th line created a lot of havoc in the ozone too. Not bad for the rookie trio.

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.
- busmaster

regretting the deal? whaaaat? he earned his next deal. if the Hawks didn't extend him, what do you think would have happened in the summer?

we should be HAPPY he isn't putting up a ton of points right now. it would be a blessing in disguise if he didn't hit all of his bonuses and was able to save the hawks cap space for next season.

also..for as much as the PAK line has carried the Hawks the last year and a half, it's okay on nights where they don't light up the scoreboard. chances are that won't last long.

14 has no hands? Give me a break with that, the guy can score goals and most of them come from in tight. If you want to pick a guy with no hands, Andrew Desjardins is the poster boy for that, not Panik.
- RickJ

bingo.

really liking the Panik deal more and more every day. let him continue to play with JT and watch his confidence go through the roof.

on a side note...schmaltz can absolutely fly. really excited to see what those three could do if they stick together and continue to grow confidence.

still think the Hawks need a little more scoring help.

14 has no hands? Give me a break with that, the guy can score goals and most of them come from in tight. If you want to pick a guy with no hands, Andrew Desjardins is the poster boy for that, not Panik.
- RickJ

The guy gets chances by the bucketfull on his line... He fudged a wide open change in the Buffalo game. Maybe I'm nitpicking a bit. He's just not top line pedigree to me.

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.


- busmaster

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.

I know in todays world everything is what have you done for me lately, but lets slow down just a bit. I LOVE the strides 8 has made since the recall and consistent linemates "cough, cough, clown coach, cough" but lets not discount what 72 brings to the table.

That 4th line created a lot of havoc in the ozone too. Not bad for the rookie trio.
- breadbag

Absolutely, they really dictated play in the last 5 minutes of the 1st period which I felt tilted the ice in our favor going into the 2nd period

Amazing game by Toews. He seems to be back from whatever ailed him.
That's the leader and person worthy of that lofty contract...worth every penny when he plays like he has lately. To say I was critical and worried, yes. To say I could not be happier that he is back to full form....100% !!!!

The guy gets chances by the bucketfull on his line... He fudged a wide open change in the Buffalo game. Maybe I'm nitpicking a bit. He's just not top line pedigree to me.
- busmaster

the wide open heal shot from the RW looked to be slighlty tipped when it went thru the crease. I thought I saw it at on the reply. anybody else?

regretting the deal? whaaaat? he earned his next deal. if the Hawks didn't extend him, what do you think would have happened in the summer?

we should be HAPPY he isn't putting up a ton of points right now. it would be a blessing in disguise if he didn't hit all of his bonuses and was able to save the hawks cap space for next season.

also..for as much as the PAK line has carried the Hawks the last year and a half, it's okay on nights where they don't light up the scoreboard. chances are that won't last long.
- frafra

On the contrary. Hawks got a discount on his services. Could he be regretting that discount?

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.
- busmaster

Wow...this assessment of Panik is...interesting.

Completely wrong, but interesting. I'd say Panik is one of the best acquisitions SB has made. Complete steal. I hope Richard is a Hawks for many years to come.

Wow...this assessment of Panik is...interesting.

Completely wrong, but interesting. I'd say Panik is one of the best acquisitions SB has made. Complete steal. I hope Richard is a Hawks for many years to come.
- ArlingtonRob

Yes Rob YES! Come see the light! A fine compliment indeed. Keep up the positivity!!!

On the contrary. Hawks got a discount on his services. Could he be regretting that discount?
- busmaster

i personally have a hard time believing that he has any regrets at all..this is 100% just my opinion...but he gets to play with PK, he gets to play for the Chicago Blackhawks- arguably the face of the NHL, he lives in Chicago which is a very diverse city and probably one of the best for him to migrate to from Russia, he just got a guaranteed $12M over the next two seasons, and is going to get paid fat again when that contract is up! I think he just needs to start shooting the puck more! he will get it going.

bingo.

really liking the Panik deal more and more every day. let him continue to play with JT and watch his confidence go through the roof.

on a side note...schmaltz can absolutely fly. really excited to see what those three could do if they stick together and continue to grow confidence.

still think the Hawks need a little more scoring help.
- frafra

If your Coach and Captain are providing encouragement and what you are doing gets you plenty of ice time, anybody's confidence would go up. That's what you are seeing with both Panik and Schmaltz. And I'd say Hossa is probably behind the scenes helping with Panik's game.

More scoring help - how about Panarin doing some of that.

Some high scoring games tonight.....8 here.....9 in the Tor-Win 5-4 win......and 10 and counting for Calgary-Nashville 5 all with 6 min left
- ILGolfer

Might actually be something to that smaller goalie pads = higher scoring idea

Yes Rob YES! Come see the light! A fine compliment indeed. Keep up the positivity!!!
- SimpleJack

Hey now...I'll back Crawford with my last breath, and of course...

...never retire Hoss!

I want Kempy to play and play and play. Give that guy minutes! It's the only way he'll get a feel for the smaller ice and the NHL game. He has the talent.

CC a little iffy but every time I doubt him he makes me look bad. He's got 6 weeks to round into shape so not too concerned.

72's not looking the same and I doubt its because they took away his favorite sniping spot. Is he regretting the deal?

Schmaltz looks like the real deal, and his development with the big club and at Rockford is paying off. He looks essential to 19 now and they can be paired up for years.

14 is what he is... A grittier, less pretty version of Stalberg. Inconsistent by nature, hands that poop the bed too often to be relied upon when high percentage opportunities arise. But he's also chaos incarnate, and creates plenty of opportunities. It counts for something, but its hard to say if he's just keeping the seat warm for an acquisition.

I said it before - getting 19 confident and healthy is better than anyone he can get back in a trade. Even in a game where CC and the PAK line were subpar, 19 pretty much willed the team to a win.

Stan doesn't need to overpay for anyone. If they stay healthy, Hawks have as good a shot as any team for the Cup.
- busmaster

Regret? Him? No. It is possibly that he's let up a little bit since signing the deal; relaxed a little, lost some intensity / edge. Not a lot, but maybe a little. He wouldn't be the first player to do that. I have no doubt he'll be back on the scoresheet soon though. He is a competitor and so is Kane and so is AA. I'm sure they're all happy for the Captain tonight but I'm betting Kaner is replaying in his mind over and over that point blank shot he had that was saved.