I was at the game last night too (sat 4 rows behind #88's parents). The lack of structure to their game - especially in P2 when STL woke up a bit - was pretty glaring. But putting 2 and 7 back together and. 57 back on the 3rd pairing seemed to help exponentially (man was he brutal up there with 2). LOVE #8 - my sister was floored by that whole line in person and kept asking how she missed Schmaltz earlier in the year. Don't know if it came across on tv, but a LOT of blues fans at the UC last night. Glad they got real quiet toward the end of the night.

Hope they are able to find the right piece here in the next few days. Should be interesting. Glad they didn't pay that price for Hanzel.
- Marlowe

Any thoughts on Kempny's skating? He really jumped out in that regard when I saw him live v Edmonton. Got me to thinking he's been able to get away with suspect positioning all of his career with his skating allowing him to erase mistakes, but the NHL is a different animal.

This guy gets his postitioning corrected he'll be a player.

A bidding war? Minny got him for next to nothing. I commented in the last blog, this years 1st will be a high pick (20+). The next 2 years are a crapshoot. Arizona is a minor league organization, an absolute joke to have it in this league.
- powerenforcer

A handful of people will ever know what really goes on in trade talks but I do agree that MN did well not to give up one of their prospects, especially with a reported bidding war going on and especially what assets cost at the TDL and what centerman or Dmen cost.

Uh!!!!....NO!! Not DeBrincat

One more thought, Oduya is much better on the left side than the right, so he is not a plug and play replacement for Hjalmarsson, but more likely reduces Campbell and Kempny's minutes. Campbell can also play some right side.
- John Jaeckel

If he can be had, I hope the Hawks get him. Let Hjalmarsson get as much time to rest and recover as possible. While the blue line unit is significantly better than the one from the 2016 playoffs, I don't think that it will hurt to beef it up even more. The thought of TVR and Roszival potentially playing in a seven game series scares me. Roszival looks completely done. TVR is what he is- a 5th/6th defenseman. Bringing in Oduya would be a nice addition IMO.

One more thought, Oduya is much better on the left side than the right, so he is not a plug and play replacement for Hjalmarsson, but more likely reduces Campbell and Kempny's minutes. Campbell can also play some right side.
- John Jaeckel

Anytime you can reduce Campbell's minutes, is fine by me.

If what I'm hearing about hot pursuit of Oduya is true, Hawks are being extra cautious with Hjalmarsson or his back is pretty bad.

Also, I would expect some smaller add of like a Jay McClement in addition to Oduya, if they can make the dollars work.
- John Jaeckel

JJ,
Are we talking LTIR cautious here? If so, that creates quite a bit of dollars, no?

Anytime you can reduce Campbell's minutes, is fine by me.
- tompo1015

I have been Campbell detracted for much of the year but I thought he has looked good lately. I thought last night he was really good from where I was.

Any thoughts on Kempny's skating? He really jumped out in that regard when I saw him live v Edmonton. Got me to thinking he's been able to get away with suspect positioning all of his career with his skating allowing him to erase mistakes, but the NHL is a different animal.

This guy gets his postitioning corrected he'll be a player.
- Mr Ricochet

Yep, man he has the quicks, plus made at least one gorgeous stretch pass last night and has that big shot.

JJ,
Are we talking LTIR cautious here? If so, that creates quite a bit of dollars, no?
- furso27

Dunno, they are saying day to day. The other thing is, dollars aside, Oduya does not really replace Hammer (left side guy vs. right side guy).

A handful of people will ever know what really goes on in trade talks but I do agree that MN did well not to give up one of their prospects, especially with a reported bidding war going on and especially what assets cost at the TDL and what centerman or Dmen cost.
- Mr Ricochet

This.

Stuff filters out through the process, and if you look at how teams' hockey operations are structured, consider that agents get involved at some point, then you can see how. And sometimes why.

But few know every detail of every pursuit and conversation, chapter and verse,

THIRD reliable (in the past) source:

Hawks looking hard on D. Also heard not one of the Arizona depth guys mentioned here in he past, moreso a 4-5 type guy at minimum

How would you guys feel about John Mitchell as a cheap pickup? He makes next to nothing, kills penalties, and is a great faceoff guy. He's not huge 6'1" 204, and really won't contribute offensively though.

Yes. We should look at adding some def depth.
Yes. We should look to add another Center.
Yes. We should explore adding a Top 6 LW.

BUT....if nothing is available that doesn't require a vast overpayment, I am fine letting this team go into the playoff "as is".

Now, I know.....IF we get bounced in round 1 or round 2 all the critizisms will flow about how Stan SHOULD have moved Hartman or Schmaltz or BOTH , and THAT is why we missed a Cup this year. Well....BS!!!!!

For this year, next year....and quite possibly the next 4-5 years, the development of guys like Hartman and Schmaltz are PARAMOUNT to continued Cup opportunities. And quite frankly, with the names I hear bantered about...Vanek, Iginla, etc.....parting with either of these guys does not make us BETTER this year!!!

My opinion. But, don't overpay Stan. And I, for one, won't jump all over you after should we bow out early!!!!

Yes. We should look at adding some def depth.
Yes. We should look to add another Center.
Yes. We should explore adding a Top 6 LW.

BUT....if nothing is available that doesn't require a vast overpayment, I am fine letting this team go into the playoff "as is".

Now, I know.....IF we get bounced in round 1 or round 2 all the critizisms will flow about how Stan SHOULD have moved Hartman or Schmaltz or BOTH , and THAT is why we missed a Cup this year. Well....BS!!!!!

For this year, next year....and quite possibly the next 4-5 years, the development of guys like Hartman and Schmaltz are PARAMOUNT to continued Cup opportunities. And quite frankly, with the names I hear bantered about...Vanek, Iginla, etc.....parting with either of these guys does not make us BETTER this year!!!

My opinion. But, don't overpay Stan. And I, for one, won't jump all over you after should we bow out early!!!!




- hawk35

EDIT....That said, I am all for moving a few picks and OTHER prospects (NOT named DeBrincat, Schmaltz, Hartman)...for some depth, for that Stan, fill your boots!!!!!

39th...

Nice article JJ

39th...

Nice article JJ
- riozzo

I really hope Hammer heals up fast. He is as good as it gets defensively.

A couple of things. I would love Boyle. That guy has been a winner back to his BC days. Also, I didn't see the game last night, how did Jurco look?

A couple of things. I would love Boyle. That guy has been a winner back to his BC days. Also, I didn't see the game last night, how did Jurco look?
- acmidd28

Not noticeable. But...it was his first game.

The play of Kero and Darling gives Bowman options in the summer. Crawford and Kruger could be on the move. (If they can find someone willing to take Kruger.)

Kruger and Hjalmarsson need to be given enough time off to return to 100% at least 5 to 10 games before the playoffs. With the pickup of Hanzal and White it is unlikely the Hawks are going to catch them n the standings. With a 12 point lead over Nashville it is unlikely the Hawks will fall to 3rd in the division.

It would be great if they could add a 4/5 Dman and/or a 3C and/or a 2/3/4/LW (depending on where they see Schmaltz).

The Hawks 1st round pick this year is likely at the end of the 1st round. Any player you draft with it is probably 3 years away from making the team. If you need to include it to get Duchene you need to consider it. Would you trade Motte, Pokka, a 1st in 2018 and a 2nd in 2017 for Duchene? I would.

The play of Kero and Darling gives Bowman options in the summer. Crawford and Kruger could be on the move. (If they can find someone willing to take Kruger.)

Kruger and Hjalmarsson need to be given enough time off to return to 100% at least 5 to 10 games before the playoffs. With the pickup of Hanzal and White it is unlikely the Hawks are going to catch them n the standings. With a 12 point lead over Nashville it is unlikely the Hawks will fall to 3rd in the division.

It would be great if they could add a 4/5 Dman and/or a 3C and/or a 2/3/4/LW (depending on where they see Schmaltz).

The Hawks 1st round pick this year is likely at the end of the 1st round. Any player you draft with it is probably 3 years away from making the team. If you need to include it to get Duchene you need to consider it. Would you trade Motte, Pokka, a 1st in 2018 and a 2nd in 2017 for Duchene? I would.
- -Doh-

Motte is injured. Pokke is not all that great. Not enough in terms of prospects to land a Duchene. Priority now is D and another C who can win draws.

This.

Stuff filters out through the process, and if you look at how teams' hockey operations are structured, consider that agents get involved at some point, then you can see how. And sometimes why.

But few know every detail of every pursuit and conversation, chapter and verse,
- John Jaeckel

Right, I mean probably the only people in these talks who know every detail are the GM's and agents to a lesser degree depending on contract status. And it's in no way in their interest to reveal the truth and also in their interest to "leak" what they want known which can be half truths, spin or falsehoods but never the whole story.

These guys are playing a long game and being stealthy and measured is in their franchises best interest.

the argument of if they over paid or not is in the discretion of the team/did they get the guy "they wanted"

They were obviously the highest bidder - giving 3 picks, including a first rounder


I assume no one else was close to offering a first, or they presumably would have gotten him, being their first would have been better than MINN in draft order

Motte is injured. Pokke is not all that great. Not enough in terms of prospects to land a Duchene. Priority now is D and another C who can win draws.
- z1990z

When did that happen? Hadn't heard about him being injured in Rockford. He just played Saturday.

How would you guys feel about John Mitchell as a cheap pickup? He makes next to nothing, kills penalties, and is a great faceoff guy. He's not huge 6'1" 204, and really won't contribute offensively though.
- biskit67

That name keeps popping up. I think he'd be a great addition to the fourth line, especially if Kruger is traded