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).
- gnosox1986

It's fun to think about the Hawks adding another all star caliber player, but I just think if you look at the whole puzzle it doesn't fit.

Like you said they're not getting Duchene but fitting another comparable big contract on this team for controllable assets that are filling in holes up and down the lineup doesn't make sense to me especially say if Hartman or Schmaltz and Forsling + are going the other way.

Like I said suck at playing with a 2 goal lead, this team just doesn't have the killer instinct anymore
- BetweenTheDots

2 goal lead = worst lead in hockey

Lets see, Hawks playing best team in west on the road and your critical because the Wild score on the PP. Oh did I mention the Wild have the best home PP in the league? I believe the Hawks instinct is just fine pulling out a critical road win. - More importantly it sends a message the wild can be beat on their home Ice - Again!

If you want to know how tough the Wild can be at home watch this game: https://www.nhl.com/gamec...tate=final,game_tab=stats

As for me, I am starting to have inklings of parallels between this year's 'Hawks and last year's Pittsburgh squad where the young kids (with AHL experience*) are starting to realize they can play NHL caliber hockey. Can the 'Hawks also translate this to playoff success?

*Schmaltz does not have much AHL time, but he did play quite a while at N Dakota.

Ok Stan - if AZ calls regarding Hanzal or TB calls regarding Boyle you can use the ship's phone. Only minimal assets leaving. We could use their FO #s.

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

Get leino from the leafs for him. Try for a second HR

2 goal lead = worst lead in hockey

Lets see, Hawks playing best team in west on the road and your critical because the Wild score on the PP. Oh did I mention the Wild have the best home PP in the league? I believe the Hawks instinct is just fine pulling out a critical road win. - More importantly it sends a message the wild can be beat on their home Ice - Again!

If you want to know how tough the Wild can be at home watch this game: https://www.nhl.com/gamec...tate=final,game_tab=stats
- riozzo

Yep being critical, this team unlike many other years will not step on the neck and finish off their opponent. Just won't do it, don't care how tough the Wild are, this has happened many many many times this year. Once again last night they let Minny back into the game, and to be honest if anything does them in the playoffs it will be this soft mind set.

I'd be on-board w/ the Hawks standing pat at the deadline, because I think it's become pretty clear they can hang w/ any team in the West in a 7-game series. While I'm certainly not going to call them a "lock" to make the finals, I also think it'd be foolish to think they can't make a finals run as-is.

With the amount of new faces on the roster to start the year, there were clear growing pains; however, I am not going to ignore the fact that the step into the NHL is incredibly challenging and it has taken some time for the new bodies to adjust and team chemistry to be built. The team is finding its stride and I LOVE that they are able to roll 4 lines effectively... I think THAT is the key to a deep run by the Hawks moreso than finding another big $$$ contract. That 4th line looks to be the real deal and will be a serious weapon for Q come playoff time... the third line can be a defensive powerhouse and while they may not light the world on fire w/ goals, they can effectively shut down opponents' top lines... of course PAK is a solid line and should continue to remain dangerous (Panarin is fine... he's doing a lot of the right things out there and just isn't finding the net right now... hockey can be a streaky game and I fully expect him to be a force come playoff time)... and Of course the first line has looked solid and Toews looks comfortable. Since coming back from Rockford Schmaltz has looked like a new player and I really like him on Toews' flank, and Panik has been great as the season has moved along. For his contract, Panik has been a home run in my opinion... yes... you will get a howler from him here and there (missed open nets, healing a one-timer...etc) but you also get a guy who opens things up w/ his motor and consistently puts himself in the right spot to make plays. There are still many 'raw' aspects of his game but given his improvement I think it's clear he's putting in the work and that in and of itself can be infectious for the rest of the room...

Ultimately, I think the only downfall of such a young group is the lack of playoff hockey experience, but I'm also a believer in trial by fire and the best way to truly see how deep you are is in the playoffs. The Hawks have 4 solid lines and the question on playoff effectiveness of the Hawks youngsters will always be there until we see them in action... let's answer those questions this year, and let that set the tone for any offseason moves once we truly know where we stand.

I would be ok w/ a depth addition at the deadline, but I would be cautious of making it at the expense of a current roster player... hockey is a streaky game and the Hawks have found a sweet spot w/ their lineup and I would be nervous shaking that up too much; however, there is not a player in Rockford I would have a second thought of trading if a nice depth piece became available... nothing that would shake up the status quo much, but moreso shore up the depth. As fun as it would be to see another superstar/elite talent on Toews' line, if it comes at the cost of a roster player I'm a hard pass... 4 good lines rolling (PAK being elite and #1 being strong) > 2 elite lines and limited depth come playoff time, IMO

Wow... just went through this and sorry for the crazy long rant. Said my piece haha.