Respectfully B, how many NHL playoff games has Schmaltz played, where the speed is amped up, space and maneuvering gets smaller, and where the smallest mistake can cost you a game? We can revisit this discussion another time when we have more empirical data and observations, but for now... solid game by Schmaltz who is getting more confident. If the Bowman's are out talking to GMs who have good amounts of young forwards who can play in the Top 6, and these are guys who have been in the league for a few years and most know what playoff hockey is like. I also wouldn't take what Toews said a couple weeks ago about acquiring another top 6 guy off the table. There is a reason, and right now, a top 6 C/W can create matchup issues and make the team more formidable.
- 93Joe

The fact that Schmaltz has never played in a playoff game doesn't mean that he won't be successful. Tonight was as big a game as the Hawks had all year, and he certainly rose to the occasion. As to what Toews said recently, I recall him hoping for stability. And tonight he again praised his line mates.

Just heard Laine got 2 more tonight for the Jets.

That puts him at 30 for the year.

He's 18

I think the Jets have a good one there.
- ArlingtonRob

Laine is a superstar, his shot is simply unbelievable. The Jets won the draft lottery last season when they moved up to #2 to grab him. Laine is so much fun to watch.

The fact that Schmaltz has never played in a playoff game doesn't mean that he won't be successful. Tonight was as big a game as the Hawks had all year, and he certainly rose to the occasion. As to what Toews said recently, I recall him hoping for stability. And tonight he again praised his line mates.
- BMWChiFan

Although it's not ideal to have Schmaltz learn on the job during the playoffs he appears to be trending in the right direction and may certainly be worth a shot. I wouldn't be afraid of his lack of NHL playoff experience. Some people were suggestion Stan get Hainsey from Carolina, he hasn't played an NHL playoff game either.

Tonight, the Hawks again showed that they have all the ingredients to be a serious contender for another Cup: a) 4 solid lines; b) 6 competent defensemen; and c) outstanding goaltending (with CC again outplaying a more ballyhooed opposing goalie). Kruger is failing not only offensively but killing penalties. He is their one weak link.

The fact that Schmaltz has never played in a playoff game doesn't mean that he won't be successful. Tonight was as big a game as the Hawks had all year, and he certainly rose to the occasion. As to what Toews said recently, I recall him hoping for stability. And tonight he again praised his line mates.
- BMWChiFan

It was a big game for sure. Playoffs are a different monster. I hope he stays on board with Toews but you never know with Q. He also performed well against some good defenders (Suter, Scandella, e.g.). Will it hold up in a seven game series against Burns, Vlasic, Josi, Ekholm, Doughty, Muzzin? Again, until proven empirically, he should stay where he is and keep on learning. I also was not insinuating that he will not be successful due to lack of experience in NHL playoffs. Just to be mindful of a young player none of us have seen play when the stage is big.

We may not agree on this issue, which is perfectly fine. The team may have found their footing and we shall see.

Although it's not ideal to have Schmaltz learn on the job during the playoffs he appears to be trending in the right direction and may certainly be worth a shot. I wouldn't be afraid of his lack of NHL playoff experience. Some people were suggestion Stan get Hainsey from Carolina, he hasn't played an NHL playoff game either.
- DarthKane

I'd rather take my chances with Gustafsson.

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

Take a look at the last 2 goals he has scored. (not you btw). Guys with no hands can't score those goals. Kid has always had the ability. Now he is gaining confidence, experience, trust from his coaches and working his ass off to get better every game. If anyone can't see the progress in is game from even earlier in the season, I don't know what to say.

Any way you look at it, Panik was highway robbery for Morin.

Just looking back at the month so far....Hawks scoring is way way up. Game by game since the start of Feb.
4 against ARZ
5 DAL
4 MIN
5 WIN
5 EDM
1 EDM (Talbot played crazy good night)
5 BUF
5 MIN

Keep pumping them in!

See, Rob, it can be fun to focus on the positive!
- BMWChiFan

FYI...my comments posted here don't necessarily reflect all of my opinions concerning the Hawks.

I'm more likely to post/type when aggravated...hence the general appearance of cynicism.

IOW...I find hockeybuzz to be great for venting.

Tonight, the Hawks again showed that they have all the ingredients to win another Cup: a) 4 solid lines; b) 6 solid defensemen; and c) outstanding goaltending (with CC again outplaying a more ballyhooed opposing goalie). Kruger is failing not only offensively but killing penalties. He is their one weak link.
- BMWChiFan

As I mentioned earlier, the special teams problems with this club, if not corrected (especially the PK) will kill the club...

...regardless of all the other positives.

Toews now has 30 points in 30 games since returning from his back injury, and I think in his first 8-10 games post injury, he was still injured.

Man, the way Palat blew away from RNH on one of his TWO goals. What a GREAT add he would be for the Hawks. I don't see it happening....but a guy can wish.

Alas, we will endure Vanek.

But Palat could fit on our first OR third line and really make the 4 line rolling system a thing of beauty!

If Palat can be had without Debrincat or hartman or Schmaltz leaving.....I would do that deal in a heartbeat. 2 or 3 prospects and a 2nd???

Man, the way Palat blew away from RNH on one of his TWO goals. What a GREAT add he would be for the Hawks. I don't see it happening....but a guy can wish.

Alas, we will endure Vanek.

But Palat could fit on our first OR third line and really make the 4 line rolling system a thing of beauty!

If Palat can be had without Debrincat or hartman or Schmaltz leaving.....I would do that deal in a heartbeat. 2 or 3 prospects and a 2nd???
- hawk35

Stevie Y knows and sees what everybody else now sees - Palat is a keeper, not a trade deadline piece, even though he is heading for $4M++ on a new contract. He would want real hockey players in return in a trade, not picks or expiring contracts.

But he has some big contract issues - Drouin and Tyler Johnson also both need new paper. In order to deal with that he probably needs to dump one or more of Callahan, Coburn, Garrison, Filppula. Ben Bishop is as good as gone already.

Haven't been able to watch many games lately, due to my life being a dumpster fire. But I did watch the game last night especially considering we were playing the vaunted Minnesota Wild aka the top the team in the central. It would be easy with the way the Toews line produced to completely ignore the fact that our so called fourth line of Hartman/Kero/Hinostroza was absolutely dominant for long stretches. That line has just enough speed/jam/skill that they were causing havoc every time they were on the ice.

And Toews with 5 points? What does that put him at ? 20 pts in his last 12 games? Safe to say the guy is getting back to being himself out there, it's amazing how much he has turned this season around for himself recently. Playing like a 10.5 million dollar man

Tonight, the Hawks again showed that they have all the ingredients to be a serious contender for another Cup: a) 4 solid lines; b) 6 competent defensemen; and c) outstanding goaltending (with CC again outplaying a more ballyhooed opposing goalie). Kruger is failing not only offensively but killing penalties. He is their one weak link.
- BMWChiFan

Yes hate for JJ to hear this talk but Kruger you sir are the weakest link, he has no offence and not that it is all on him but he is not helping the PK. If possible would like to see the Hawks obtain a two way centre to play with Hossa and Hartman and we have three lines that can create offence.
Leaving a 4th line of Kruger Moose Kero and Hinzo that would be impressive.

Ps anythought of moving Schmaltz and Hartman should now be stopped

Bottom line is the kids played big boy hockey last night on the road against a team that's a true measuring stick. The all rookie line in P1 would have scored but for Dubnyk. And the Capt! This is why he's a top 100 all time player and has one of the biggest contracts in the league. How much fun is it to watch this team right now?

That behind the back drop back pass from Schmaltz though.....

Bottom line is the kids played big boy hockey last night on the road against a team that's a true measuring stick. The all rookie line in P1 would have scored but for Dubnyk. And the Capt! This is why he's a top 100 all time player and has one of the biggest contracts in the league. How much fun is it to watch this team right now?
- Marlowe

Agree 100%, And give the Wild their due for a nice season so far. As much as I harp on Bowman for not getting Toews a Bonified replacement for Saad, I still think the Hawks are the measuring stick for most teams with 3 cups in the last 6 years. These next 6 weeks are gonna be the best hockey for the entire league. Gonna be fun to watch.

For a earlier poster: I already have my cup of coffee to throw against the wall when Vanek arrives!

Good points all the way around here.

4th line as mentioned had a lot of time in the Wild's zone. Just an all around solid performance here...Rob mentioned the special teams last night and the Hawks need to get those going. Minni 2-2 on the PP and the Hawks 0-2 - 4 point swing in the game.

Interested to see what Stan and Co. do here in the next week. Are the Hawks a first round out if they don't make a couple of moves and how far can they go if they don't make any major changes?

The Hawks seem to be playing their best hockey of the season currently...but we all know the playoffs are a different animal. Should be interesting to see what happens here by the TDL.

Yes hate for JJ to hear this talk but Kruger you sir are the weakest link, he has no offence and not that it is all on him but he is not helping the PK. If possible would like to see the Hawks obtain a two way centre to play with Hossa and Hartman and we have three lines that can create offence.
Leaving a 4th line of Kruger Moose Kero and Hinzo that would be impressive.

Ps anythought of moving Schmaltz and Hartman should now be stopped
- HamiltonHawk

Ps anythought of moving Schmaltz and Hartman (FOR A RENTAL) should now be stopped.

No one is untouchable for the right price... but those 2 will make an impact this post-season... no reason to move them for a rental. They can be moved if you get a controllable asset (like Duchene... but they arent getting duchene, so its moot).

Take a look at the last 2 goals he has scored. (not you btw). Guys with no hands can't score those goals. Kid has always had the ability. Now he is gaining confidence, experience, trust from his coaches and working his ass off to get better every game. If anyone can't see the progress in is game from even earlier in the season, I don't know what to say.

Any way you look at it, Panik was highway robbery for Morin.
- TTtime

No doubt about the bolded. He plays up to his size with speed. My point the other day was that if Panik had good hands he'd have 30+ himself and how many passes has he fumbled and how many goals might have those plays led to. At least a few anyway. There's no question he has issues with receiving a pass.

And to all you guys who want to jump on the bandwagon of a losing player female doging about ice in the UC to a don't know squat mouthpiece reporter who's never been on skates, the puck was bouncing as bad as ever in Minny last night. Worse than I ever saw in the UC. The whip in the sticks when players are under pressure causes most of it, which doesn't help Panik.

But, can Stan swap Mark McNeill for a first line wing like he did in the Morin-Panik deal. Now that would be something!

Dear Stanley:

Leave TODAY for a 10 day cruise. Leave your cellphone and laptop at home. Relax.

Just heard Laine got 2 more tonight for the Jets.

That puts him at 30 for the year.

He's 18

I think the Jets have a good one there.
- ArlingtonRob

I think he will come back to earth. Like Breadman he has is spot. Once teams take it away he is average. Watch him without the puck - does not move around much - like Breadman.

Agree 100%, And give the Wild their due for a nice season so far. As much as I harp on Bowman for not getting Toews a Bonified replacement for Saad, I still think the Hawks are the measuring stick for most teams with 3 cups in the last 6 years. These next 6 weeks are gonna be the best hockey for the entire league. Gonna be fun to watch.

For a earlier poster: I already have my cup of coffee to throw against the wall when Vanek arrives!
- wonthecup10