It's great to see Toews finally playing with confidence and looking like he is really having fun. We haven't seen that much lately, but in the game last night he was feeling it and I think this will have a positive effect on him for some time. He got the monkey off his back, he called it a cab and sent it packing.

The reaction on his face when he forked/shoveled that feed from Schmaltz into the net, that was priceless.

I know I've been pumping Schmaltz's tires all year because I like what I see in him and I'm really glad to see him becoming a more dangerous player week over week lately. These last few games, he has really started to cut to the middle and attack a lot more. There was a lot of talk lately about the current rookies and comparing them to the hawks core, but I think Hartman and Schmaltz could be core pieces in the next 1-3 years.
- breadbag

That snipe from Schmaltz was a thing of beauty. The look on his face was just as priceless. And to what the Great Doob just stand there was just as fantastic.

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

It's not a few games though - on top of looking better, they've been improving their underlying numbers (shot metrics, passing stats, transition numbers) for at least 20 games now. Like for example, they have a 52.32% CF over that span, which is good for 6th in the league. In the last 10 games, they've had a 53.46% CF, which comes in 3rd. CF obviously doesn't tell the whole story, but all their numbers are pretty much in line with the CF in terms of improvement and ranking. They're trending really well as doing so over what is considered an above average quality of competition (when comparing numbers, anyway).

This isn't an argument against acquiring other players, top line or otherwise, just that saying the team has only been playing well a few games is not quite accurate.

It's time my friends to pull a Howard Beale or be forever silent. Go open your windows, stick out your head, and yell to the heavens: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take Vanek anymore."
- meta_puck_luck

Wasn't that Stanley Spadowski who said that?

Don't touch lines 1, 2, and 4. Our 4th line right now is the perfect combination of speed and energy with a little bit of skill and goalscoring mixed in. Love it.

All we need is another defensively sound LW to play with Kruger and Hossa that can also score and be dangerous offensively. So something like this:

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Palat-Kruger-Hossa
Hinostroza-Kero-Hartman


- SimpleJack

This is exactly what I have been posting since we first heard Palat. Couldn't agree more. If it isn't broken don't fix it. 1,2,4 are all great. Rasmussen just wouldn't look as good as Palat on that line

I can see them standing pat, but then the other question is, they have about $3 million in cap space. Why not use it to add as much as they can?

I guess the only counter argument to that is it will cost a rookie and/or prospect and/or draft pick.

My answer is, that's never stopped them before, even in 2013 when they were probably better at this point and they went out and got Zus.
- John Jaeckel

If they stand pat then it makes the overage bonus for next year way less too

JR commented on NBCSN last night that after their last two games, the Hawks are still in the Wild's heads, and have always been since 3 playoff series losses. He said their last game (at the UC on March 12th) will be extremely important for the Wild to gain the confidence they'll need if they meet the Hawks in the playoffs. Do you agree, JJ?

Kruger stinks & Bowman screwed up again & way overpaid him. Get him out for a more skilled Center to play with Hossa. Kero is better & cheaper than Kruger.

Make up for your MISTAKE Bowman.
- Goalie-33

And I thought I was hard on Bowman
See what goes.."or doesn't by next we'd.
I am also Leary of the day after high following a big game , still, since Duchene is out of the picture, hopefully, Hanzel, PALAT & Boyle are on their radar,
Brace yourselves because it is not out of the Question if TomasVanek makes his way down here that Steve Ott isn't riding with him.
I welcome a guy like that and I am sure so would his new mates, like others of his character maybe minus Torres, a guy you hate to play against, but welcome on your team???? Definitely a good bottom 6 guy at this point in his career.

No red font needed for me....that happened a LONG time ago.
- DarthKane

Sorry for asking, significance of Red Font?

Sorry for asking, significance of Red Font?
- riozzo

Denotes sarcasm.

It's not a few games though - on top of looking better, they've been improving their underlying numbers (shot metrics, passing stats, transition numbers) for at least 20 games now. Like for example, they have a 52.32% CF over that span, which is good for 6th in the league. In the last 10 games, they've had a 53.46% CF, which comes in 3rd. CF obviously doesn't tell the whole story, but all their numbers are pretty much in line with the CF in terms of improvement and ranking. They're trending really well as doing so over what is considered an above average quality of competition (when comparing numbers, anyway).

This isn't an argument against acquiring other players, top line or otherwise, just that saying the team has only been playing well a few games is not quite accurate.
- L_B_R

I didn't go digging into the numbers but it feels like they are playing better with the lead and/or just spending more time with a lead. Early in the year, felt like they were often coming from behind and giving up the lead early in games.

I didn't go digging into the numbers but it feels like they are playing better with the lead and/or just spending more time with a lead. Early in the year, felt like they were often coming from behind and giving up the lead early in games.
- breadbag

Their possession is now up near 53% corsi for the past 20 games, where it was just below 50 for most of the season.

It's not apples to apples.
- John Jaeckel

That is why I am ok with acquiring either of them at the right price.

http://www.thehockeynews....e-s-become-something-else

http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/jonathan-toews-is-not-back-he-s-become-something-else
- JRoenick97

Trade him for cap space!!!!

I am okay with Bowman. He isn't perfect but show me a GM with 0 mistakes.

Overpaid a lot of guys which I think he his biggest weakness. Seabs, Toews, Kane, and yea Kruger but lets not forget the sweet deal Kruger took the year before that to stay.

Bad trade with Sharp, and everything with Daley.

Bickell fell off the world and that wasnt something we could see coming

Saad-made the best of a bad situation

Shaw-I think we came out ahead.

Signs-Panarin, Kempney, Kero, TV, Fortin,

Ladd, Fleishmann, Weise-Going for it but Danault is a bummer to lose. Dano no one misses. Probably should have gotten some D help. (if seabs shot doesnt hit both posts these might look a lot different)

Anisimov Extension-VERY GOOD

Morin trade--THANK YOU. (making something out of nothing)

Vermette Trade-we won sooo

Forsling>Clendining

Leddy Trade-Bummer but the cap. Better than the Sharp one at least

Schmaltz, Hartman, Hino have all been very good picks. Hard to judge all the drafts but there have been some really good picks and some not so good ones.

Getting Hammer signed was huge, same with Crawford

Oduya trade was a big plus

We got a thrid round pick for Bollig. That has to be a plus

What am I missing? Frolik trade I guess but I dont recall what we got for him.

I am okay with Bowman. He isn't perfect but show me a GM with 0 mistakes.

Overpaid a lot of guys which I think he his biggest weakness. Seabs, Toews, Kane, and yea Kruger but lets not forget the sweet deal Kruger took the year before that to stay.

Bad trade with Sharp, and everything with Daley.

Bickell fell off the world and that wasnt something we could see coming

Saad-made the best of a bad situation

Shaw-I think we came out ahead.


and if Debrincat....................

Signs-Panarin, Kempney, Kero, TV, Fortin,

Ladd, Fleishmann, Weise-Going for it but Danault is a bummer to lose. Dano no one misses. Probably should have gotten some D help. (if seabs shot doesnt hit both posts these might look a lot different)

Anisimov Extension-VERY GOOD

Morin trade--THANK YOU. (making something out of nothing)

Vermette Trade-we won sooo

Forsling>Clendining

Leddy Trade-Bummer but the cap. Better than the Sharp one at least

Schmaltz, Hartman, Hino have all been very good picks. Hard to judge all the drafts but there have been some really good picks and some not so good ones.

Getting Hammer signed was huge, same with Crawford

Oduya trade was a big plus

We got a thrid round pick for Bollig. That has to be a plus

What am I missing? Frolik trade I guess but I dont recall what we got for him.
- kevndevries

I am okay with Bowman. He isn't perfect but show me a GM with 0 mistakes.

Overpaid a lot of guys which I think he his biggest weakness. Seabs, Toews, Kane, and yea Kruger but lets not forget the sweet deal Kruger took the year before that to stay.

Bad trade with Sharp, and everything with Daley.

Bickell fell off the world and that wasnt something we could see coming

Saad-made the best of a bad situation

Shaw-I think we came out ahead.

Signs-Panarin, Kempney, Kero, TV, Fortin,

Ladd, Fleishmann, Weise-Going for it but Danault is a bummer to lose. Dano no one misses. Probably should have gotten some D help. (if seabs shot doesnt hit both posts these might look a lot different)

Anisimov Extension-VERY GOOD

Morin trade--THANK YOU. (making something out of nothing)

Vermette Trade-we won sooo

Forsling>Clendining

Leddy Trade-Bummer but the cap. Better than the Sharp one at least

Schmaltz, Hartman, Hino have all been very good picks. Hard to judge all the drafts but there have been some really good picks and some not so good ones.

Getting Hammer signed was huge, same with Crawford

Oduya trade was a big plus

We got a thrid round pick for Bollig. That has to be a plus

What am I missing? Frolik trade I guess but I dont recall what we got for him.
- kevndevries

Frolik turned into John Hayden (3rd round) and Luke Johnson (5th round). Unknowns with some potential.

Brooks Laich waived by Toronto today. Possible depth signing anyone??

Frolik turned into John Hayden (3rd round) and Luke Johnson (5th round). Unknowns with some potential.
- L_B_R

Could be a little something could be completely nothing I guess.

It's not a few games though - on top of looking better, they've been improving their underlying numbers (shot metrics, passing stats, transition numbers) for at least 20 games now. Like for example, they have a 52.32% CF over that span, which is good for 6th in the league. In the last 10 games, they've had a 53.46% CF, which comes in 3rd. CF obviously doesn't tell the whole story, but all their numbers are pretty much in line with the CF in terms of improvement and ranking. They're trending really well as doing so over what is considered an above average quality of competition (when comparing numbers, anyway).

This isn't an argument against acquiring other players, top line or otherwise, just that saying the team has only been playing well a few games is not quite accurate.
- L_B_R

Quality of opponents over that stretch is a huge reason for the improved numbers and record.

Over the last eleven games they were 7-4, had MIN twice, and stepped up both nights to win two big individual games against them. SJ L, TB L, WPG L/W, ARI W, DAL W, EDM W/L, BUF W. Most of those wins (and a couple of losses) were against teams they should beat.

Lets see how this lineup does against PIT and CBJ next month. Then ask how they would fare in a couple of long series against teams like these. Because on balance the Hawks have a pretty weak schedule the rest of the way. Sets up a false sense of security if you ask me.

As I said earlier, the West teams will not be the test. It will be the East teams. The empirical evidence suggests the team as constructed will really struggle against the cream of the East.

that was one helluva game...that wild team is very good; excellent team structure and they can skate

not for a couple of clanks and the high stick goal reversal; they might have pulled the win out...

Quality of opponents over that stretch is a huge reason for the improved numbers and record.

Over the last eleven games they were 7-4, had MIN twice, and stepped up both nights to win two big individual games against them. SJ L, TB L, WPG L/W, ARI W, DAL W, EDM W/L, BUF W. Most of those wins (and a couple of losses) were against teams they should beat.

Lets see how this lineup does against PIT and CBJ next month. Then ask how they would fare in a couple of long series against teams like these. Because on balance the Hawks have a pretty weak schedule the rest of the way. Sets up a false sense of security if you ask me.

As I said earlier, the West teams will not be the test. It will be the East teams. The empirical evidence suggests the team as constructed will really struggle against the cream of the East.
- Return of the Roar

I don't think the cream of the East are much better than Minnesota at this point.

that was one helluva game...that wild team is very good; excellent team structure and they can skate

not for a couple of clanks and the high stick goal reversal; they might have pulled the win out...
- bogiedoc

What game are you talking about?

Brooks Laich waived by Toronto today. Possible depth signing anyone??
- dahawks8819

I'm not sure if I Laich that idea...

What game are you talking about?
- JRoenick97

Blues/Northstars 1989