If we can beat the Penguins while playing as well as we have been I'm honestly pretty confident in our ability to win with who we have! We are out shooting good teams by large margins right now! Except for the coyotes which they probably thought was a gimme.

But seriously, if we continue playing like this I don't think teams will stop us, with the exception of the Caps maybe! Could we benefit from a forward and/or defenseman absolutely but even without our best defensive player we Outplayed a good Blues team granted not as good as previous years!

The Wild are scared of us! That's why they got Hanzal! People keep saying our rookies will get pushed around but you don't think Q and Co. is preparing them for that? I think Hartman, Schmaltz, Kero and others are ready for that we just gotta keep building their confidence and they will be ready!

When the going gets tough the Hawks get tougher! When's the last time the Hawks were thoroughly dominated in the playoffs with no chance to win (i.e. Didn't go to a seventh game)? Haha

Or didn't have 5 of the 6 playoff games go to overtime and being down without Hossa on a cheap dangerous hit for part of the series! I would say that the Hawks always find ways to win no matter what no one should count us out of the playoffs until we don't make it there!

My wish for tomorrow is to get a 3C that can score a bit and win face offs(preferably someone with a last name that begins with the letter "H" so we can counter the Penguins HBK line with our "Triple H" line):

STP
PAK
Hartman-3C-Hossa
Kruger-Kero-Hinostroza/Jurco
- SimpleJack

Marcel Hossa might be available.

Sure I think face offs are important but it doesn't help both Carter and Kopitar are stuck in mud as Granlund flies by them
- BetweenTheDots

You are right however how does the play start? Faceoff win. All im sayin.

When the going gets tough the Hawks get tougher! When's the last time the Hawks were thoroughly dominated in the playoffs with no chance to win (i.e. Didn't go to a seventh game)? Haha

Or didn't have 5 of the 6 playoff games go to overtime and being down without Hossa on a cheap dangerous hit for part of the series! I would say that the Hawks always find ways to win no matter what no one should count us out of the playoffs until we don't make it there!
- akuroski

There is still no core with the pedigree that the Hawks have. A hungry healthy Hawks core has more back class than every other horse in the field.

Add Q, their intangibles and "enough" of a supporting cast and they are dangerous.

When the going gets tough the Hawks get tougher! When's the last time the Hawks were thoroughly dominated in the playoffs with no chance to win (i.e. Didn't go to a seventh game)? Haha

Or didn't have 5 of the 6 playoff games go to overtime and being down without Hossa on a cheap dangerous hit for part of the series! I would say that the Hawks always find ways to win no matter what no one should count us out of the playoffs until we don't make it there!
- akuroski

True dat!! We have been a very hard "Out" each and every year since 2009. Even when Nucks took us out in Round one (we fought back from 0-3 down to force Game 7 in ot) and Phoenix (which was hot Smith, dirty Torres, and multi one goal loses). Even last year....(against Blues) Game 7... couple years ago....Kings....Game 7.....Oh, and THREE Cups.

Yup. We know PLAYOFFS. And with this core, you best bet nobody is looking forward to playing US either!!!!

Will BOS be a seller? There are rumblings on twitter that Matt Beleskey is available. I thought and wrote here in an earlier blog that Dominic Moore would be the kind of pick up typical of the Hawks.

EDIT to add tweets:

@RumorBreak
hmmm @MurphysLaw74 was right on. Now hearing Leafs have interest in Beleskey only if BOS retains salary.

@MurphysLaw74
Some have asked me about Matt Beleskey maybe being dealt to #flapanthers. I'm told that's not happening at least at deadline

@Commie22
Matt Beleskey...Your time in Boston is over..#PackYourpoop and pick up some sunscreen...fly your ass to Florida.

Guys,

Tanner Glass is available from the Rangers. Gorton wants a 2nd for him.

What do I do?

WHAT DO I DO!?
I really want to make this deal...
- Stan_Bowman

two posts in and its already lame

If boston is selling I wouldn't mind Domonic Moore and JML small cap hits and good depth guys. Moore is also a 54% FO guy.

If boston is selling I wouldn't mind Domonic Moore and JML small cap hits and good depth guys. Moore is also a 54% FO guy.
- hawkss81

I think Moore would be just the sort of sneaky good pick up we've seen them do in the past.

The Leafs FO want their youngsters to get some playoff experience, so why not get a guy or two that could help prolong their stay in the playoffs? The Leafs are loaded with prospects and picks, so giving up something here or there isn't going to hurt them. And if Boyle buys in, they might get him to sign there for cheap next year.
- L_B_R

How much of an impact is he going to have for 20 games?

I think Moore would be just the sort of sneaky good pick up we've seen them do in the past.
- Marlowe

Assuming Boston is selling

I think Moore would be just the sort of sneaky good pick up we've seen them do in the past.
- Marlowe

Moore has been bad this year, pass on him

Belesky seems to be like Bickell. Has a career year after years of low numbers, big guy, cashes is for close to $4 mil. His team giving him that deal has buyers remorse when production tanks back to previous levels

Moore has been bad this year, pass on him
- BlazinMike

based on what stats? not trying to argue just wondering what you think makes him bad this year?

The silence is deafening.

Assuming Boston is selling
- hawkss81

Yea..

They aint selling

Wildwin


12 seconds into ot
- mrpaulish

What is wrong with LA? Granlund right thru Kopitar, Carter and Doughty. Can't even say he turnstyled them cuz they didn't even move. Wow! Props to Granlund tho. He bolted right up the middle and they watched.

The silence is deafening.
- PuckAndSticks

You would think any moves have to be done today since they play tomorrow. Especially if there's a roster player involved

What is wrong with LA? Granlund right thru Kopitar, Carter and Doughty. Can't even say he turnstyled them cuz they didn't even move. Wow! Props to Granlund tho. He bolted right up the middle and they watched.
- blackhawk24

LA was happy with their point.

If we can beat the Penguins while playing as well as we have been I'm honestly pretty confident in our ability to win with who we have! We are out shooting good teams by large margins right now! Except for the coyotes which they probably thought was a gimme.
- akuroski

Penguins have a lot of players currently out of the roster with injury, including 3 defensemen (Letang, Matta, Daily, which I believe are all top 4 d-men on the pens). They're also missing Rust and Sheary, two younger guys who play big minutes for them.

A win against a fully healthy pens team, I would agree, but not without half their defensive corps.

Penguins have a lot of players currently out of the roster with injury, including 3 defensemen (Letang, Matta, Daily, which I believe are all top 4 d-men on the pens). They're also missing Rust and Sheary, two younger guys who play big minutes for them.

A win against a fully healthy pens team, I would agree, but not without half their defensive corps.
- Jance

They still have the greatest player in the world right now, don't they?

Curious if Bowman is indeed being cautious to not overpay-- OR if teams are placing a premium on dealing to the Hawks-- considering the elite core-- maybe its both issues--

Its hard to understand IF Bowman wanted Boyle-- he couldn't match what Toronto gave up-- or maybe he didn't think it would be worth it-- OR something else on the burner--

We shall see-- Just like to see the Hawks upgrade in size and jam-- players tough to play against are few and far between on the Hawks--
- jb3333

Even bit players are expensive. The Hanzal price was ridiculous and the Hainsey price was a little steep as well. James T Shattenkirk probably got moved for close to fair value but Washington really needs to win this year.

If the Hawks need to shed salary in the summer (which they do) they will need to have some futures to move salary for some flexibility. Also, not having a pick in the first two rounds (if they deal), while hilarious, would be kind of ridiculous for the team hosting the draft. Especially when a player like Hanzal isn't enough push to get them over the top IMO. edit: negated by a blockbuster deal like Dutch or equilivant

They still have the greatest player in the world right now, don't they?
- powerenforcer

Nah, we have Toews

They still have the greatest player in the world right now, don't they?
- powerenforcer

It's a team game. When half your defense is AHLrs, its going to expose a weakness.