I know I was critical of Toews until I heard he had a back injury, I will own it, but since Feb the Toews I know showed up and I will own this, if Toews re injures his back we'll be lucky to get out of the first round.

The reason for the good record when the opponents best defense covers the PAK line, the Toews line scores and vice versa, and we're unstoppable if our 3rd or 4th line gets on the scoreboard

I don't think Hayden has unseated Schmaltz form 1LW as soon as Arty is back. STP line was on fire for a good run there. Hayden can stil be effective on that HOssa Kruger line by throwing hits and going to the net. Hossa is no bum.
- JRoenick97

As excited a we all are about Hayden is may be a tad early to anoint him the new 1LW. If he keeps playing well he'll get a few more games to provide he belongs so fingers corssed.

However, if Hayden can remain at 1LW (because he actually earns it) and Schmaltz moves to 3C with Hossa and Hartman that could be a huge win.

You dont move Landeskog now, Avs have winger issues on roster and in prospect poo, believe it or not he is still a difference maker out there. He was a shadow of himself the 1st half of the season, but hes showing hes still the leader going fwd. HE didnt have a great game last night but him and duchene dont work on the same line. He works great with MacKinnon.

Duchene needs to move on, and Avs dont have the luxury of cherry picking his spot. They have to take the best package available even if thats in the division. Personally I think he ends up in Nashville
- DDM-Coga

My address is in Denver, CO now so the Avs are my 3rd team (Hawks > Jackets (OSU alum) > Avs)! I think Sakic should be on a short leash, but his playing career pedigree will allow him a couple more chances at making this team competitive again.

never in a million years. They are not going to trade for a 31 year old Dman when they are only moving duchene to build something 2-3 years down the road. They will be targeting 23-24 year old Dmen so when they have their pieces in place they have that dman in their prime of their career. It just doesn't make any logical sense.
- DDM-Coga

I'm not saying it will happen because I don't think the pieces match right, but rebuilds need veterans too. You can't just have a team of youth across the board. Even the Oilers have Sekera who's 30 and makes 6.5 per season.

As excited a we all are about Hayden is may be a tad early to anoint him the new 1LW. If he keeps playing well he'll get a few more games to provide he belongs so fingers corssed.

However, if Hayden can remain at 1LW (because he actually earns it) and Schmaltz moves to 3C with Hossa and Hartman that could be a huge win.
- DarthKane

Agreed. That's a very potent 3rd line.

Duchene is like Toews IMO, they are very quiet guys and not really the "with the boys" crew that goes out and tears up the town. Avs have Landeskog, MacKinnon, Barrie, and Johnson. Those guys are always together. Duchene is a good cat but he comes to the rink, does his business and but outside the rink he likes to fish, play country music, with his fiancee doing charity stuff. I don think hes super tight with some of the Avs core but its not like hes unliked,
- DDM-Coga

I have 1st hand experience of the contrary.....LOL. He was out partying in Denver with Scog, Barrie and Rantanen a few weeks ago after they beat Winnipeg. Seemed like they were getting along pretty well.....he was hammed up

The addition of Hayden has me all excited.

Think about the chain reaction throughout the lineup as far as our forward depth goes. Plenty of options now.

As excited a we all are about Hayden is may be a tad early to anoint him the new 1LW. If he keeps playing well he'll get a few more games to provide he belongs so fingers corssed.

However, if Hayden can remain at 1LW (because he actually earns it) and Schmaltz moves to 3C with Hossa and Hartman that could be a huge win.
- DarthKane

Where's that Matthew McConnaughy gif? ^^^^

I'm not saying it will happen because I don't think the pieces match right, but rebuilds need veterans too. You can't just have a team of youth across the board. Even the Oilers have Sekera who's 30 and makes 6.5 per season.
- JRoenick97

They have Erik Johnson signed long term, Barrie is 25. and if they get rid of Beauchemin, I think they are going after a UFA dman. They will have a lot of older Dmen still.

Did the bygone era start in 2015. Kings 2014 and 2012 Bruins 2011 were not that fast. There are many different operating models that you can win the Cup with.
- -Doh-

Nope, Modern Hockey, speed, offense offense offense, the only way.

I have 1st hand experience of the contrary.....LOL. He was out partying in Denver with Scog, Barrie and Rantanen a few weeks ago after they beat Winnipeg. Seemed like they were getting along pretty well.....he was hammed up
- EnzoD

really? I just have heard from a few local podcast guys that Dutchy was never as close with that crew as O'Reilly was. Duchene and Stastny were boys.

Think a Duchene+ for Seabs+ this summer can happen? I love #7 but am scared as poop his game declines rapidly and the $6.875M AAV bites the 'Hawks after '18.
- blackhawk24

Seabrook would have to waive a full NMC to go there. I don't see that.

The addition of Hayden has me all excited.

Think about the chain reaction throughout the lineup as far as our forward depth goes. Plenty of options now.
- SimpleJack

Feels more that way anyway. I don't love the secondary face-off options like I did in 2013 and 2015. But it is what it is at this point.

My address is in Denver, CO now so the Avs are my 3rd team (Hawks > Jackets (OSU alum) > Avs)! I think Sakic should be on a short leash, but his playing career pedigree will allow him a couple more chances at making this team competitive again.
- EnzoD

I think Sakic moves up to President role eventually, and they bring in a full time GM. Sakic isnt seasoned enough to be Executive Vice President/General Manager/Alternate Governor all right now.

Bednar might get the ax too, unfair since he didnt create the mess of a roster and had to use Roys old coaching staff. But being shut out 11 times this season....fair or not you dont over look that type of results

I know I was critical of Toews until I heard he had a back injury, I will own it, but since Feb the Toews I know showed up and I will own this, if Toews re injures his back we'll be lucky to get out of the first round.

The reason for the good record when the opponents best defense covers the PAK line, the Toews line scores and vice versa, and we're unstoppable if our 3rd or 4th line gets on the scoreboard
- BetweenTheDots

yup.

Where's that Matthew McConnaughy gif? ^^^^
- John Jaeckel

I had to choose from like 400 damn McC gifs but this one caught my eye.......since I love Woody H.

Sarcasm and arguing aside, I am interested to see how Jurco's situation will end up. While he hasn't been overwhelming he's played a lot better since returning to the line-up. I don't expect much of anything from Jurco this season, but it will be interesting to see if he can be a quality depth forward next year.
- DarthKane

We rolled the dice on a guy for change of scenery. Kicked into high gear in the playoffs and hasn't looked back.... Panik.

Not saying that's where Jurco's headed, but as always, sometimes people are too quickly to judge because.. 1) they don't make a splash right away 2) they stuggle a bit after being traded mid-season to a new team, new players, new playing style 3) aren't a flashy name.

As much as we love to debate who should be where and why and how much, I'll leave it to Stan and be happy with whatever player he has wearing the Indian Head.

We rolled the dice on a guy for change of scenery. Kicked into high gear in the playoffs and hasn't looked back.... Panik.

Not saying that's where Jurco's headed, but as always, sometimes people are too quickly to judge because.. 1) they don't make a splash right away 2) they stuggle a bit after being traded mid-season to a new team, new players, new playing style 3) aren't a flashy name.

As much as we love to debate who should be where and why and how much, I'll leave it to Stan and be happy with whatever player he has wearing the Indian Head.
- HawksHype

Panik only had 6 goals in 30 games when he came over last season. I'll give Jurco some time to fit in.

We rolled the dice on a guy for change of scenery. Kicked into high gear in the playoffs and hasn't looked back.... Panik.

Not saying that's where Jurco's headed, but as always, sometimes people are too quickly to judge because.. 1) they don't make a splash right away 2) they stuggle a bit after being traded mid-season to a new team, new players, new playing style 3) aren't a flashy name.

As much as we love to debate who should be where and why and how much, I'll leave it to Stan and be happy with whatever player he has wearing the Indian Head.
- HawksHype

If the cost is fair I have no issue with Stan making moves like this, but these reclamation projects fail more than they succeed. Panik worked out, but Sekac, Tikhonov, and Rundblad did not. That being said, 1 out of 4 ain't bad.

1) debatable
2) incorrect

You almost sound like the Hawks' interest in these players were made-up fantasies (who am I kidding, that's exactly where you're going. Ehhh, no. Whatever.)

When in fact, the same GM who has accumulated all the amazing top shelf, cost-controlled young talent you speak of was highly interested in both those "losers" at this recent trade deadline.

Believe what you want. It's still definitely a free country as far as that goes.

Beyond that, glad to have the "Duchene is a loser" debate all day long, here or anywhere. Love to hear the actual scouting that draws you to that conclusion.
- John Jaeckel

No, I didn't say anything about whether or not the Hawks had discussions regarding Handzal and Duchene -- I only said I'm glad we didn't waste young talent to get them.

Did you wake up on the wrong side of bed today, JJ? Sorry I think Kruger is overrated and overpriced. Sorry I think your incessant clamoring for a 1LW failed to recognize that young players on the roster could fill the role once they gained some experience. Sorry that you minimized Panik's talents as well until you finally couldn't ignore them any longer. So you can keep on touting Kruger even though he's no longer able to take face-offs, has largely been replaced by Kero on the PK, and is a black hole offensively. He was acceptable at a $1.5M cap hit, not at $3M.

If the cost is fair I have no issue with Stan making moves like this, but these reclamation projects fail more than they succeed. Panik worked out, but Sekac, Tikhonov, and Rundblad did not. That being said, 1 out of 4 ain't bad.
- DarthKane

Hey DK, 25% would get you a low end major league SS but Tiger Woods if you were a golfer.

If the cost is fair I have no issue with Stan making moves like this, but these reclamation projects fail more than they succeed. Panik worked out, but Sekac, Tikhonov, and Rundblad did not. That being said, 1 out of 4 ain't bad.
- DarthKane

But these reclamation projects are fillers to the roster, not looking to make them our 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd liners. Panik was a depth play, he just turned out to find something.

Tikhonov, imo, was really only for an adjustment period to help Panarin, and hell, if he worked out, gravy.

I get your point, but a reclamation project doesn't hurt us. You just end up rotating through the Hawks bottom lines, being traded out/not resigned and up with the next one.

Lightning fast, high end scoring touch, 55%+ in the dot and can play the wing, too. He is in a bad situation, because you're right, he was shopped and shopped hard.

Let's please stop with this Duchene is a loser nonsense. I have heard some hints he's maybe not the most likable guy in the dressing room (though they are vague). I do also know Toews personally lobbied for the Hawks to get him after playing with him in the WC.

You are also right, conversely, Sakic never seriously entertained moving Landeskog, because at this point, he doesn't want to.
- John Jaeckel

IF Sakic would have eaten 1/2 of Duchenes salary you give up Hartman and make that trade.

Seabrook would have to waive a full NMC to go there. I don't see that.
- John Jaeckel

Hawks will be in trouble if Seabrook has to be traded this summer....who replaces him?

As excited a we all are about Hayden is may be a tad early to anoint him the new 1LW. If he keeps playing well he'll get a few more games to provide he belongs so fingers corssed.

However, if Hayden can remain at 1LW (because he actually earns it) and Schmaltz moves to 3C with Hossa and Hartman that could be a huge win.
- DarthKane

Yeah, I hear ya. I get a little nervous when things seem to be going too good. Like I don't want to look directly at the object for fear I will see it it more air and less solid ... if that makes sense.

I am also in the camp who thinks Anisimov should be re-inserted back between Panarin and Kane and then make an assessment on what to do with Schmaltz. If Hayden is still playing well enough to stay with Toews - than yeah move Schmaltz to 3C for a very nice 38-8-81 line.