Totally completely agree. Playoff hockey is a different animal.

And believe me, Schmaltz especially will have a target on his back for physical abuse, just like TT did. That is in no way to assume he will respond (or not) similarly. In fact, I think he's tougher than TT quite frankly.

All that said, the rough going is where he tends to disappear a bit. He gets beaten along the wall a lot. His game is at its best with time and space. Just the two things that go bye bye to a large degree in playoff games.
- John Jaeckel

In watching Shmaltz even before North Dakota when he was with the Green Bay Gamblers, it never seemed that he pussied under with contact, because like so many of the new age high skilled guys, he basically has an awareness to brace or avoid injurious contact.
His issues were always that he seemed lacsidazical in his defensive back pressure and basically seemly quitting when the scoresheet had his team far behind.
I really think that the Hawk scouting staff have worked the back zone pressure into his head and he is really good along the wall, and you can't teach the skill with which he can acquire and unlocks ad the puck.

We could say there are issues in playoff hopes Cheyenne fr Vinne, or Motte too. But I didn't see the smallest team in the league last year worry about if the minor leaguers they graduated would be in trouble on the he wall.

You saw last night how fast Hans and sticks and feet can hold possession...if your kids get pasted with hits so be it. If they crumble, then they get proven at not having the fortitude TO have long NHL careers.

The only thing I worry about with the 4th line is that they are all rookies, and as good as they have looked lately, can you trust them to in their own zone come playoff hockey. I wouldn't mind Kruger moving down to them just so they have that trusted veteran that has been through the grind of the playoff.

But the way that line and the team has been playing the last month, I think this is a team that no one wants to play in a seven game series.

I didn't mean to imply he wasn't good on the PK anymore - only that step-1 of a successful PK is winning the draw and since he doesn't take draws anymore he is not as valuable.
- EbonyRaptor

He is coming off back to back wrist and hand injuries. Perhaps they are giving him rest 'til the playoffs. Ras isn't horrible on the FO.

As for a LW...the 'hawks don't NEED anyone currently. They are clicking. But as it has been said numerous times, the playoffs are a different animal. A guy that's been there AND can play up and down the lines would be a good add. Eaves, Boyle, someone along those lines.

That being said, of the teams that are TRULY out, who would you want that is realistic. So no Duchene and probably no Hanzal.

Filippula would be a real interesting add John...especially if you put him with Hossa...
- DK002

In agreement with you if the short term get doesn't cost you more than Rockford defenders...he is an unsung Lightning leader, was Stamkos centre, when they made Steve play wing, and is underrated in terms of strengths, and he or Tyler Johnson are the ones earmarked for departure before next season Cap crunch, NOT Palat.
Filipula is under 50 % I am fairly certain....

I like Filppula and think he would be a nice add for the Hawks but he has another year with a $5M cap hit - that is a problem.

The draws are a huge issue, agreed. I think he's actually not the problem with the PK at all.
- John Jaeckel

Problem with the pk is other teams have figured out get the puck to the net and out stick the defensemen in front of the goalie, both times the Wild were rewarded

One big issue I have with the defense is Keith and other defenseman getting caught watching the give and go play, which led to 3 great chances last night? Does the defenseman think the guy who passed the puck magically disappeared.

I like Filppula and think he would be a nice add for the Hawks but he has another year with a $5M cap hit - that is a problem.
- EbonyRaptor

I know it's possible to take on a player with a contract beyond this season and Stan could make further moves in the summer (i.e. trade Crawford) to get cap compliant for next season.

I think the odds of this are low, Stan would immediately put himself in an inferior negotiating position as he would be forced to make a move. Trading Crawford would likely also cost the team a decent prospect or young forward.

Hey, Jj: lots of Hawks will be targeted in the playoff, and I bet the name Hartman will higher on the list, because he has shown a plethora of areas where he has made impact on games.

I don't see him no you can worry how one NHL player or another is gonna fair in the march for Lord Stanley's Cup....
Better players and better teams prevail when all the parts do what they do best, despite their warts.

Dolly St. Laurent lead the Pilote Hull Mikita Cup continent by playing well above what anyone expected...so not going to despair about parts f the second best team in the West /Point totals

The only thing I worry about with the 4th line is that they are all rookies, and as good as they have looked lately, can you trust them to in their own zone come playoff hockey. I wouldn't mind Kruger moving down to them just so they have that trusted veteran that has been through the grind of the playoff.

But the way that line and the team has been playing the last month, I think this is a team that no one wants to play in a seven game series.
- spudrock512

I do, they play better defense than Panarin does. Defense equals effort and those boys bring it so long as they stay with the defensive structure and that game plan will be the same for the playoffs

I'm not trying to correct anyone or say their opinion is bullpoop. It's just that this is a first year player, who we have seen get intimidated earlier in the season. Space and time gets a lot more smaller in the playoffs. Guys like Burns, Bieksa, Parayko, Pietrangelo,Subban, Josi, Ekholm are no slouches and will exploit him.

I was having a good and constructive discussion last with BMW, Darth and a couple of other board guys last night (great input and knowledge guys, btw). It's just important to realize that there are going to be quite a few rookies in the lineup and none have seen playoff hockey. The ones I'm least concerned about is Hartman and Kero because they have the most experience and can play a gritty game.
- 93Joe

Are you sure? That doesn't sound like me.

Excellent synopsis JJ! 19 has been everything we've come to expect from him over his career...the hardest worker on the ice with a lot of skill to complement it. Awesome to see 19 making plays with the puck, and taking it away from the opponent seemingly at will. Schmaltz + Panik are both playing with great confidence and adding a guy like Patrick Eaves or Hanzal would be huge for the team depth scoring.

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Hanzal-Hossa
Moose-Kruger-Desi/Kero/Tootoo/Vinny


I've liked the Seabs-Kempny pair for the majority of the season. Two big boys who can both move the puck and eliminate their man with an active stick OR a shoulder to the chest. TVR has been solid since his early season injury and Campbell used to make $7mil a year for a reason...he's a solid NHL vet who can definitely handle 3rd and 4th lines of the opponents. Add a 3rd line C or W and this team is arguably more complete than in 2015 (they had 4 NHL D in 2015 )

Great game last night and I still think Dubnyk folds in the Playoffs if the Hawks + Wild meet again.

No top six LW add = no long playoff run. Still convinced of that. A few single game successes are not an adequate sample size to convince me that a tweaked bottom six and 19 playing with 8 and 14 transforms this team into a deep enough forward group to survive a long run.

Whether that happens or not is what SB gets paid the big bucks to do. You have to give to get. The greatest variable here is whether the issue is teams like COL, TBL and DET wanting to make deals now versus waiting for the post-season (unless a crazy overpay offer comes their way now), or if it is in fact true that trading Hartman is a non-starter for SB.

The first scenario is beyond SBs control. The second is not. We find out if the first is true when on March 2, COL, TBL and DET have moved no one.

Stan may be playing chicken with those teams to see if they blink first from their demands, but to me, if THE factor preventing a deal for a legit top six LW is refusing to move bottom six talent and rookies/prospects/picks - it is a big mistake.

Forget about the WC competition. The team needs to be built to beat the EC winner. Boudreau lacks the chops in pressure situations to get out of his own way. See: last night's matchups.

The window is this year and next. Nothing beyond that.

Are you sure? That doesn't sound like me.


- DarthKane

I give credit where credit is due. Even if I don't agree with the individual.

Lot of good discussion the past couple of blogs keep it coming

TSN's playoff percentages: http://www.thehockeynews....ticle/nhl-playoff-chances

No top six LW add = no long playoff run. Still convinced of that. A few single game successes are not an adequate sample size to convince me that a tweaked bottom six and 19 playing with 8 and 14 transforms this team into a deep enough forward group to survive a long run.

Whether that happens or not is what SB gets paid the big bucks to do. You have to give to get. The greatest variable here is whether the issue is teams like COL, TBL and DET wanting to make deals now versus waiting for the post-season (unless a crazy overpay offer comes their way now), or if it is in fact true that trading Hartman is a non-starter for SB.

The first scenario is beyond SBs control. The second is not. We find out if the first is true when on March 2, COL, TBL and DET have moved no one.

Stan may be playing chicken with those teams to see if they blink first from their demands, but to me, if THE factor preventing a deal for a legit top six LW is refusing to move bottom six talent and rookies/prospects/picks - it is a big mistake.

Forget about the WC competition. The team needs to be built to beat the EC winner. Boudreau lacks the chops in pressure situations to get out of his own way. See: last night's matchups.

The window is this year and next. Nothing beyond that.
- Return of the Roar

They could use a Palat, Tatar, or Hanzal. Preferably guys who play a two way, go-to-the corners game. Palat and Hanzal fit that bill.

For a bottom 6 faceoff guy and PK guy, what about John Mitchell from Colorado?

Totally completely agree. Playoff hockey is a different animal.

And believe me, Schmaltz especially will have a target on his back for physical abuse, just like TT did. That is in no way to assume he will respond (or not) similarly. In fact, I think he's tougher than TT quite frankly.

All that said, the rough going is where he tends to disappear a bit. He gets beaten along the wall a lot. His game is at its best with time and space. Just the two things that go bye bye to a large degree in playoff games.
- John Jaeckel

Sure he gets beat along the wall. I think he said in the early fall the biggest thing he needs to work on is strength. What I love from him is his long stick and the fact when he loses the puck he usually turns and backchecks. Seen him pick a few pockets already. You can tell he wants to learn and is learning from two of the best. You also see flashes of him really reading plays well on D. Clearly he can read the offensive game, just see that pass he made Toews. Just think you see him defer too much still.

I like Filppula and think he would be a nice add for the Hawks but he has another year with a $5M cap hit - that is a problem.
- EbonyRaptor

Plus I don't think Tampa prepared to give up on the year just yet

No top six LW add = no long playoff run. Still convinced of that. A few single game successes are not an adequate sample size to convince me that a tweaked bottom six and 19 playing with 8 and 14 transforms this team into a deep enough forward group to survive a long run.

Whether that happens or not is what SB gets paid the big bucks to do. You have to give to get. The greatest variable here is whether the issue is teams like COL, TBL and DET wanting to make deals now versus waiting for the post-season (unless a crazy overpay offer comes their way now), or if it is in fact true that trading Hartman is a non-starter for SB.

The first scenario is beyond SBs control. The second is not. We find out if the first is true when on March 2, COL, TBL and DET have moved no one.

Stan may be playing chicken with those teams to see if they blink first from their demands, but to me, if THE factor preventing a deal for a legit top six LW is refusing to move bottom six talent and rookies/prospects/picks - it is a big mistake.

Forget about the WC competition. The team needs to be built to beat the EC winner. Boudreau lacks the chops in pressure situations to get out of his own way. See: last night's matchups.

The window is this year and next. Nothing beyond that.
- Return of the Roar

14 of their last 20 games are wins and 7 road games in a row. That's not a few single game successes. You don't break up that Toews line that has gotten Toews 20 points over the last 11 games.

Not to distract, but…………. 2 - 22 - 1980

Happy "Do You Believe in Miracles?!!!" Day everyone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYscemhnf88

Towes and Schmaltz were firing on all cylinders last night. Snoogans.

Can't seem them moving Palat...think he had two goals last night...

but Filippula hmm...
- DK002

TB has Palat, Drouin, Johnson, Dumont, Sustr, and Dotchin as RFA's and Vashliveskiskiskiski's new contract starts next season bumping up another $2.6 mil and 3 additional spots to fill the voids of the 3 UFA's. IDK if they can keep all of those guys. Depends who LV takes in the draft really.

14 of their last 20 games are wins and 7 road games in a row. That's not a few single game successes. You don't break up that Toews line that has gotten Toews 20 points over the last 11 games.
- JRoenick97

THIS

10 points
Toews: 5 (3G, 2A)
Schmaltz 3 (1G, 2A)
Panik 2 (1G, 1A)
- Slofire94

Sorry will address

I am not suggesting Kruger is healthy or injured. Nor am I suggesting he is worth his cap hit. Finally I would not mind him being moved in a package for Boyle, Hanzal or Filppula. BUT........ we were complaining about Toews unmercifully just 3 weeks ago. So it is possible he either gets healthy or breaks out of his funk. (Of course you can forget about a lot of goals and assists, he never has done that.)