I'm actually fine with Tootoo. I just don't know much about Latta, so I can't say if he's better/worse.
- JRoenick97

I'm with you. As for Latta, not sure either whether he would really be an upgrade of what we already have on the roster. With Desjardins playing much stronger the past month or so (fully recovered from a nagging injury?) and Kero playing better than expected, I just don't see room for Latta.

Depth role as a Black Ace? Sure. As a replacement of Tootoo Desjardins, or Kero? I don't think so.

EDIT: Forgot about Rasmussen as a viable 4th line option.

What do people think would be the ideal first round matchup for the Hawks? I'm leaning towards Calgary, I think then the Blues, then Preds

Hope you're doing well too, Jason
And Anisimov is doing better than 40 points, too. Although Hartman and Schmaltz have both had some nice moments centering 72 and 88, Anisimov's injury has really highlighted how much of his contribution to that line doesn't make it on the score sheet. I know posters here have talked about it before, but he really does compliment those two almost perfectly (although being better at the dot would be nice). I hope his injury isn't worse than they're letting on, I'd love to see these lines for the playoffs (assuming Hayden will be seeing ice time):

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-AA-Kane
Hayden-Hartman-Hossa (assuming Hayden sees ice time. If not I'd put Kero at C and move Hartman to LW)
____-Kruger-____ (fill in Desi, Moose, Kero, Tootoo, Jurco)
- maria_wyeth

There is no ideal match-up. IMO. Its the playoffs. Its not suppose to be easy.

I'm with you. As for Latta, not sure either whether he would really be an upgrade of what we already have on the roster. With Desjardins playing much stronger the past month or so (fully recovered from a nagging injury?) and Kero playing better than expected, I just don't see room for Latta.

Depth role as a Black Ace? Sure. As a replacement of Tootoo Desjardins, or Kero? I don't think so.
- AEL_Fox

There is a reason Latta has spent most of the year in the AHL. Its what he is. An AHL level player.

its a got to go but hey according to bettman and the genuius gm its working great...no...the intention was to catch the egregious off sides miss called.

that is not whats happening...

now it requires freez frame precision...where the puck is and where the blade and where the stick is in relation to the puck...

and i am seeing more and more of allyoop passes into the zone where a player rushes in and skates under the pass...

simply no way to assess offsides with a puck lifted 20-30 feet into the zone with streaking skater going after it
- bogiedoc

Ah Bogie, you've hit upon the great conundrum off all changes in the universe.........the Law of Unintended Consequences.

My guess is the Top Genius and his minions didn't see the players reacting that way to possibly taking advantage of said changes.

And Anisimov is doing better than 40 points, too. Although Hartman and Schmaltz have both had some nice moments centering 72 and 88, Anisimov's injury has really highlighted how much of his contribution to that line doesn't make it on the score sheet. I know posters here have talked about it before, but he really does compliment those two almost perfectly (although being better at the dot would be nice). I hope his injury isn't worse than they're letting on, I'd love to see these lines for the playoffs (assuming Hayden will be seeing ice time):

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-AA-Kane
Hayden-Hartman-Hossa (assuming Hayden sees ice time. If not I'd put Kero at C and move Hartman to LW)
____-Kruger-____ (fill in Desi, Moose, Kero, Tootoo, Jurco)
- maria_wyeth

I like that lineup. As much as Hayden is off to a strong start to his career, I want to be cautious of pumping his tires too early. Many rookies start out gangbusters to start their careers then water finds its level. Hayden was never projected to be a top-6 forward so while he fits on Toews line now, I just don't see him there long term. That's where your lineup projection makes sense.

Then again, if that's our top-9, there are a lot of options for Q to roll 3 good lines if the blender is on and Hayden, Hartman, and Schmaltz could see themselves playing up and down the lineup. Regardless, all 3 deserve to be in the lineup.

That's good. This offseason the Canes can trade for Crawford. Just send Pesce in return.
- TTtime

Happy to see Lindholm having a strong second half of the season. He's already eclipsed his career highs, but he would be a 50-60 point player if his first half play matched his second half play. Plus he's a strong two-way player with size.
- AEL_Fox

He was putting in the work, just not getting the results. Think we're only scratching the surface of his production levels. Guy has found another level.

That's good. This offseason the Canes can trade for Crawford. Just send Pesce in return.
- TTtime

Ehhhhhhhhhh..............

- DarthKane

Ehhhhhhhhhh..............
- BINGO!

Is that a prairie yes?

- DarthKane

Pesce would be the perfect partner and eventual replacement for Hjalmarsson.

Is that a prairie yes?
- TTtime

That's a "We'll probably go for average goaltending that costs a lot less instead."

That's a "We'll probably go for average goaltending that costs a lot less instead."
- BINGO!

So, same as this season it is then.

I went to the Hawk game last night.....it was a sleepwalk performance. The only two lines that shows anything were the third & 4th lines. Kaner had two golden opportunities to score and missed both by a wide margin...the puck might have been rolling. Hayden looked confused for the first time , Breadman was invisible most of the time , our Canadian Inuit and Rassmison looked very strong. The other guy that came to play and was robbed by Crawford three times... Including a breakaway was our alumni Sharp.

>Retired NHLer Paul Gaustad's faceoff toolkit
>Gaustad was consistently a top-tier faceoff man in the league -- and is what kept him in the NHL
>Taught himself to be able take draws right-handed when needed -- so no "weak" side
>Also added the ability to use the butt-end of the stick on draws
>Gaustad also mentions in a different interview that a common mistake he saw opponents make was waiting for the puck to begin to fall before moving their feet: "I'm timing my foot movement a fraction of a second before the puck is dropped."
>Innovative thinking and skills that make a difference
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7LCk9rXkh8

TT may be about where he will be for his career. A 15-18 goal, 40 point guy. I'm not sure he will ever work hard enough to be anything more than that. He probably will never reach the ceiling that people originally thought he would.
- TheTrob

Right, but you don't know until it plays out. I think the same thing could have been said about Granlund 2-3 years ago.

So, same as this season it is then.
- TTtime

This is way below average goaltending.

>Retired NHLer Paul Gaustad's faceoff toolkit
>Gaustad was consistently a top-tier faceoff man in the league -- and is what kept him in the NHL
>Taught himself to be able take draws right-handed when needed -- so no "weak" side
>Also added the ability to use the butt-end of the stick on draws
>Gaustad also mentions in a different interview that a common mistake he saw opponents make was waiting for the puck to begin to fall before moving their feet: "I'm timing my foot movement a fraction of a second before the puck is dropped."
>Innovative thinking and skills that make a difference
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7LCk9rXkh8
- SnapitUpstairs

Shouldn't the linesman (or ref for that matter) kick out the player for moving before the puck is dropped?

Shouldn't the linesman (or ref for that matter) kick out the player for moving before the puck is dropped?
- powerenforcer

Brind'amour used to say "If you aren't cheating, you aren't trying hard enough."

Teaches guys to try and cheat a little in the faceoff dot.

Shouldn't the linesman (or ref for that matter) kick out the player for moving before the puck is dropped?
- powerenforcer

>Yes, it's usually the #1 reason a player gets tossed
>But, the best FO men are trying to time their foot movement to be when the linesman's hand is about to release the puck -- usually their hand is moving downward before the puck is released -- and often the linesman cannot perceive the early movement when the player movement is just before the puck fully leaves his hand
>Sometimes you will see a player move way too early and get tossed
>Or the dreaded, "fake drop" by the linesman to try to eliminate early movement

Shouldn't the linesman (or ref for that matter) kick out the player for moving before the puck is dropped?
- powerenforcer

Not if you can move without the ref seeing you.

Winning faceoff's is a serious art.

Good thing he's not playing C, then. Majority of his time has been at RW.
- BINGO!

He is better at RW.

I think this goes a bit "under the radar" but I've noticed #8 consistently gains the zone with control of the puck on the PP. Over the last few weeks, on that 2nd unit, they dropping it back to him and he carries it in, and they are usually gaining the zone as a result.

Not something that shows up on stat sheets, but one of the little things he is doing that often go unnoticed. Stuck out to me in recent games when the 1st unit had trouble gaining the zone and then the 2nd unit got their 35 seconds or so and just walk right in with the puck.
- breadbag

I noticed it early on, that was like the one thing he was consistently doing well, has a REALLY nice ability to find open space.

Jj any idea when hawks will bring up latta could add depth to the center position and be able to win faceoffs more than 40% sorry but kero and rass are depth players and win draws consistently plus latta gives the haeks a little bit physicality
- Scott1977

I thought (and heard) they had their eye on him for a call-up. Better do it soon if that's what they're thinking. Could also be they've seen enough at the AHL level. Dunno.

Three pages in and not one word on Kruger screening Leht-em-in for Hossa's goal. Doesn't show up on the score sheet, but by the amount of praise Edzo was raining down, coaches know what Kruger does without the puck and why he's being paid.

Let the bashing begin!
- CanOCorn

'DAT KROOOOOGER'S A BUM. HE DON'T SCORE NO GOALSSSSSSSSS!!!!"