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

Skating stood out (to me) but I'm no expert. Could see that he was able to get to places pretty quickly that maybe he should already have been. Speed was also very obvious when he brought the puck out of the defensive zone and instead of passing it off skated it. I'm not the best judge of edge work but to my untrained eye he has above average maneuvering ability. Sorry I can't give you more but I'm stilll learning.

Guys--

A couple pages back the name "Boyle" was brought up.

Are we talking about Brian Boyle on Tampa or a different Boyle?

@BrianHedger
#RedWings source says they do hope to move Vanek etc., which should come as no surprise at all.
- JRoenick97

No...please....if it's GOTTA be Vanek, I hope it's only for a bag of pucks and middle draft pick.

He plays in front of Yurko....Unless Yurko has an epiphany that lasts more than a week.
- Al

That may be true.

Guys--

A couple pages back the name "Boyle" was brought up.

Are we talking about Brian Boyle on Tampa or a different Boyle?
- Hank3Henshaw

Tampa.

Tampa.
- John Jaeckel

Wanted them to get him when he was leaving NY so bad.

I think he'd be a great addition--big, physical guy that can score.

We missed out on Hanzal, but can get another Hanzal-esq player in Boyle...just my opinion, though.

Go for it, Stan!

I think execution after the faceoff is more important than actual faceoffs. Unless of course you just dominate and win 60+% of the faceoffs in a series there is not much of an advantage totals wise.
- Feds91Stammer

I understand the math and you're correct that the difference between 45% and 55% may result in only 1 or 2 faceoffs won versus lost in a game - but that is still 1 or 2 chances the opponent has to make a play and potentially score. Looking to minimize any advantage given up is important, in my opinion.

Overall yes. But face-offs do matter a lot in certain situations, like the ones Kruger has cover most of the last 2-3 years and now can't. Hawks have no one over 50% other than Toews. And Kruger who now can't take draws.
- John Jaeckel

Is a FO specialist top priority at this point?

It impresses me when the core looks better, magically the team looks better.

Keith and Toews really playing well, has this team decided to turn it up a notch since there's only 20 games left to the regular season. Sure seems like it.

Imho top 4 dman > top 6 left wing, preferably RD who can play along side Nik or Keith, yes I want Nik on the left

Nope just familiar with things being that I have a Finance degree and some FINRA licenses.
- Feds91Stammer

Gotcha.....good ole' FINRA.....pain in the a**.

I understand the math and you're correct that the difference between 45% and 55% may result in only 1 or 2 faceoffs won versus lost in a game - but that is still 1 or 2 chances the opponent has to make a play and potentially score. Looking to minimize any advantage given up is important, in my opinion.
- EbonyRaptor

Of course it can be an advantage but at what point is focusing on it a waste of time, effort, and potentially assets?

Not noticeable. But...it was his first game.
- tompo1015

I thought Jurco showed promise. A lot of effort on both ends of the ice, especially in P1. There were also times when he looked like he just didn't know where he was supposed to be positionally. Had to race from one side to the other and seemed to be looking around to find where folks were rather than knowing where they should be (if that makes sense). I think he could be good for the Hawks once he figured things out.

Gotcha.....good ole' FINRA.....pain in the a**.


- ILGolfer

Yeah that is why I am working on getting into an analyst career path.

Now that Hanzal goes to the 2017 Hawks rival does this change how Bowman looks
at the next 48 hours?

Overall yes. But face-offs do matter a lot in certain situations, like the ones Kruger has cover most of the last 2-3 years and now can't. Hawks have no one over 50% other than Toews. And Kruger who now can't take draws.
- John Jaeckel

Now Krooooooger can't take da drawss?

Seriously though, personally, this is saving him for the playoffs. Let him heal up some more before the playoffs start. You have others who can take faceoffs. But come playoff time, hopefully his wrist and hand are healed enough that he can take them again.

Face offs are important, but not as important in the regular season. Also, I would rather AA, Kero and Ras tie it up more. At the very least, even if the other teams wins, your d has set up. Don't have to win every one, but at least make it an effort for the opposing team.

I think execution after the faceoff is more important than actual faceoffs. Unless of course you just dominate and win 60+% of the faceoffs in a series there is not much of an advantage totals wise.
- Feds91Stammer

I think you are mostly correct, but a line like PAK is so weak defensively that their shift changes from an offensive attack to a chase the puck drill. I think Q would love to stick a faceoff specialist between 72 and 88 in certain situations in the defensive zone. 15 hovers at about 45%, so if there was someone other than 19 who was 10% better, it could make a difference.

Is a FO specialist top priority at this point?
- Feds91Stammer

To this untrained eye, sure seems so, especially on the PK and double since the new rule where the d-zone guy has to get his stick on the ice first. Too many times you lose that initial draw and you have a fire drill for the next 30-60 seconds.

Now that Hanzal goes to the 2017 Hawks rival does this change how Bowman looks
at the next 48 hours?
- Colbyboy

I said it above...Boyle should be the Hawks target--same type of player as Martin "So Hot Right Now" Hanzal.

I don't think they necessarily need a faceoff specialist. Closing gaps and picking up pucks in the neutral zone and having the players that can stay disciplined enough to make that happen consistently in the playoffs is what will really matter.

If Kruger is not healthy, which it doesn't look like he is, then they should probably look at a veteran to fill a just in case spot that can eat 10 minutes a night with out absolutely killing them.

Otherwise, there was a lot to like about last nights effort with the forward groups and they are probably still in good shape to come out of the west depending on Hammer's health.

Hoping for a 4D. Gets the 2-7 band back together, 57 off the PK and back to reduced ice time on the 3rd pairing (despite being Q's favorite car washer). He's just too shaky on his skates for my comfort level. If it was up to me I'd sit him if 51 could play the right side and pair him with 6.

So glad Stan balked at Hanzal. IMHO I don't think he makes the Wild significantly better. Sure he adds depth but they weren't weak up the middle to begin with. As some may have inferred this seems (in my eyes) more about prohibiting the Hawks from signing Hanzal (and addressing our real need) than actually improving an already impressive center position. Could work for them to take key face offs (I guess we'll find out) but again glad we're apparently focusing on D which was an obvious weakness against the Blues last year.

Please excuse any spelling errors (working with a small screen).

The other thing I liked about last night's game was any time Hartman was on the ice the same time Tarasenko was, Tarasenko seem to have one eye on him since it seemed Hartman was buzzing around him when the Blues had the puck

I said it above...Boyle should be the Hawks target--same type of player as Martin "So Hot Right Now" Hanzal.
- Hank3Henshaw

Add Boyle/Oduya and a series vs Minnesota will be one for the ages with Hawks as favorites imo. I actually think Boyle>Hanzal but just my opinion.

Exactly. I think Minny could possibly end up paying the prospect, 1st, and two 2nds depending on how far they go. Absurd for a rental. Even more absurd for someone like Hanzal but they're in it to win it now and have a young team I guess.
- Assman22

I really like the conditional pick for a rental; matches risk with reward.

To this untrained eye, sure seems so, especially on the PK and double since the new rule where the d-zone guy has to get his stick on the ice first. Too many times you lose that initial draw and you have a fire drill for the next 30-60 seconds.
- ILGolfer

To me though it's not good asset management practices to trade a 2nd or more for say a guy like Boyle who is only a +20 in FO differential over 60 games.

Hammer LTIR thoughts there JJ, ala Kane '15 Clavical??
- blackhawk24

What about putting Kruger on LTIR? Get his wrist right as we need his faceoffs in the playoffs.