This is way below average goaltending.
- BINGO!

Crawford isn't average silly.

You guys want Jurco too?
- Assman22

BOOM!

Is that a prairie yes?
- TTtime

It's what "the Fonz" says after he hits the jukebox.

>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

No one contributes more, better hockey fundamental insight here. Thx Snap.

No one contributes more, better hockey fundamental insight here. Thx Snap.
- John Jaeckel

>You are very welcome, JJ!
>Appreciate your insights, site, and following you have built
>Many very astute hockey people here

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.
- John Jaeckel

Schmaltz transition game is one of the reasons I want him back with Toews-Panik. I like what I've seen of Hayden (though don't think he ready for top line time in the playoffs), but it'd be ideal to have another option for carry-in option beyond Toews.

Thanks for sharing! Couldn't agree more with this one:

"If I was running the NHL, I’d be terrified of offside video reviews in the post-season. One of them is going to decide a playoff series, and it’s going to be ugly."
- pdx2ord

No.... the refs will just call anything close off-side thus never being overturned.

Schmaltz transition game is one of the reasons I want him back with Toews-Panik. I like what I've seen of Hayden (though don't think he ready for top line time in the playoffs), but it'd be ideal to have another option for carry-in option beyond Toews.
- L_B_R

I said this yesterday, but I think Schmaltz is a nasty setup man and it's a good role for him.

You can't have a team full of stars, but you need someone that can compliment those stars. See: Kurri and Gretzky.

I think Schmaltz is the guy who feeds/makes the Toews/Kane's better.

Just my opinion, though.

Hawks have Toews, Kane, Panik, Hossa, Panarin, Hartman, Anisimov and Schmaltz as guys who at their current levels are probably 20 goals a year or more for some obviously. 8 of them has got to be pretty good right? Not sure how other teams are but that feels like a lot. Kruger and Hayden are your next two obvious forwards I think. That puts you at 10 and your last two choosing between Desi, Kero, Ras, Tootoo, Hinostroza, Jurco and next year maybe Motte climbs back into that group.

I think Jurco has something there. Maybe not the great steal that Panik was but I think he has a chance to stick longer term. I always think about next year (bad habit sorry guys) but maybe it looks something like this. I think Jurco can turn into a regular contributor and has some skill and speed.

Schmaltz-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Hartman-Kruger-Hossa
Jurco-take your pick-Motte/Hinostroza and maybe even Shalunov

Nightmare for other teams I think. Young guys only continue to improve. Heres to hopinh Panarin doesnt hit his bonuses, the cap goes to 76 and the hawks can figure out the cap situation. Scuderi off the books this year, hopefully a very small overage compared to the 3 mil this year, and an increase in the cap can make it possible to only lose one guy. Just gotta wait and see who.

It's what "the Fonz" says after he hits the jukebox.
- John Jaeckel

Which if I heard correctly is Hartman's nickname among his teammates. Pretty sure that is what Toews called him during the pre-game interview on WGN last night.

Which if I heard correctly is Hartman's nickname among his teammates. Pretty sure that is what Toews called him during the pre-game interview on WGN last night.
- TTtime

Nice. LOL. Somehow it fits.

>You are very welcome, JJ!
>Appreciate your insights, site, and following you have built
>Many very astute hockey people here
- SnapitUpstairs

Indeed.

Schmaltz transition game is one of the reasons I want him back with Toews-Panik. I like what I've seen of Hayden (though don't think he ready for top line time in the playoffs), but it'd be ideal to have another option for carry-in option beyond Toews.
- L_B_R

I agree - and this is what makes Anisimov's return critical for the playoffs. It affords the Hawks to utilize their rookies to their strengths - as opposed to pressing them into roles they're not suited and/or ready for at this time.

I agree - and this is what makes Anisimov's return critical for the playoffs. It affords the Hawks to utilize their rookies to their strengths - as opposed to pressing them into roles they're not suited and/or ready for at this time.
- Chief4Feathers

Center depth is my biggest concern with this team. AA is critical. Kruger getting his mojo back at the dot is critical too. I like Kero but he is a rookie still. The Hartman experiment at 2LC seems likely to end based on Q's comments after the game last night. Schmaltz is a better LW than C at this point in his career. I'm not sure that Desi is any better than Kero now. Hopefully AA comes back and Kero and Kruger are enough for a Cup run.

Center depth is my biggest concern with this team. AA is critical. Kruger getting his mojo back at the dot is critical too. I like Kero but he is a rookie still. The Hartman experiment at 2LC seems likely to end based on Q's comments after the game last night. Schmaltz is a better LW than C at this point in his career. I'm not sure that Desi is any better than Kero now. Hopefully AA comes back and Kero and Kruger are enough for a Cup run.
- matt_ahrens

Moose is slow but he can play. He makes smart decisions and has some stealthy moves. Just needs to use his size more effectively. Strength-training?

Moose is slow but he can play. He makes smart decisions and has some stealthy moves. Just needs to use his size more effectively. Strength-training?
- kinigitt

Yeah, I forgot about him. Seems to happen to him a lot that people forget about him.

I'm ready for the playoffs but what a crap final 8 game schedule for the Blackhawks:
3 game road trip to Florida & Pittsburgh
2 home games against eastern teams
1 division game at the only team out of the playoffs right now (CO)
2 games in southern California

The last six or seven games should be within the division for every team each year.

Yeah, I forgot about him. Seems to happen to him a lot that people forget about him.

I'm ready for the playoffs but what a crap final 8 game schedule for the Blackhawks:
3 game road trip to Florida & Pittsburgh
2 home games against eastern teams
1 division game at the only team out of the playoffs right now (CO)
2 games in southern California

The last six or seven games should be within the division for every team each year.
- matt_ahrens

I think a 4th line of Kruger-Kero-Rasmussen would be pretty solid. You could argue that other guys might fit better than Rasmussen but I think Kruger and Kero should be locks, unless one of them plays ont he 3rd line.

I think a 4th line of Kruger-Kero-Rasmussen would be pretty solid. You could argue that other guys might fit better than Rasmussen but I think Kruger and Kero should be locks, unless one of them plays ont he 3rd line.
- DarthKane

If those three are on the 4th line, who are your other centers? 19 and 15 and ??? Schmaltz? Hartman? ???

If those three are on the 4th line, who are your other centers? 19 and 15 and ??? Schmaltz? Hartman? ???
- matt_ahrens

Latta

Panarin Bonus Tracker

Goals T-38th
Assists T-11th
Points 11th
Points per game 18th

So close.....

Panarin Bonus Tracker

Goals T-38th
Assists T-11th
Points 11th
Points per game 18th

So close.....
- breadbag

Thanks Bread.....saves me the trouble of going to NHL.com. Unfortunately I think if he makes THE bonus, its going to be helped by empty net scenarios. Oh well, lets hope he finishes 11th and that's not because I don't like him, I think he'll make a LOT of money over his career.

#nobonuscuzofthecap

No one contributes more, better hockey fundamental insight here. Thx Snap.
- John Jaeckel

JJ is absolutely correct. There is nobody who gives better technical analysis and does it without all the trade buzz cliches so that just about anyone here can understand. Snap is the best. Wish I could express anything I know in such a manner.

No one contributes more, better hockey fundamental insight here. Thx Snap.
- John Jaeckel

Don't want to diminish SnapIts comments because they're always good, but L_B_R's posts, while sometimes stat heavy, are always thoughtful and insightful as well.

Don't want to diminish SnapIts comments because they're always good, but L_B_R's posts, while sometimes stat heavy, are always thoughtful and insightful as well.
- etchtech

Agreed on L_B_R.

How confident are we in being able to beat the Blues/Preds/Flames in a 7 game series without Anisimov?