Again... Between two of the best in the game. Average player who turns good when placed with Elite talent... not so hard to find. I'd rather have a 3C who can win a draw. Our possession and face-off numbers are horrid so far.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Like I said, he was between Kane and Panarin the year before and produced at the same rate he had his whole career. Last year, he was on another level until hurt.

Some weird stuff at practice this morning:

@johndietzdh
Kane and Keith were not at morning skate. We'll see why soon.

@TramyersNBCS
#Blackhawks didn’t roll their lines at skate this morning so... let’s see what’s up.
- JRoenick97

Apparently it was an optional skate and everyone but those 2 showed up.

@TramyersNBCS
Keith and Kane just took the morning off. Q said skate was an optional, "a well-attended optional." #Blackhawks

Ex-Hawk Update:

Darling is still trying to find his way. Has been a bit up and down but more good than bad. Looks like he's starting to settle in.

Teravainen has been the second best forward for the Canes this year. Seems a lot more determined to make things happen.

TVR is TVR. Nothing special, but does his job reasonably well. A B- player who does what B- players do.

Kruger continues to be a nice surprise. Just a pain in the ass to play against. He and Nordstrom have been pretty much perfect 4th line guys.

[quote=SteveRain]I usually get up when they are on the PP because the drop pass is moronic and the lack of creativity is just mind numbing.

I still contend they need to hire a coach who specializes in the PP and can maximize their talent and I will bet $$ if they did 2 wouldn't be on the top unit.
- 6628[/quote]


Ya Rain, I think you're right. And if worrying about ruffling feathers is why they haven't replaced Keith that poop needs to stop. I know we have talked about this, but Forsling is who I'd be grooming for Keith's slot on the PP.

A good PP can offset a lot of problems in other areas.

>The Penguins are living off of their league #2 PP (not good in other team play)
>Scoring at a 30% clip
>The speed of puck movement on the Penguin PP -- when set up in the OZ -- is about 5X faster than the Hawks
>That alone would create a lot more chances for the Hawks

Like I said, he was between Kane and Panarin the year before and produced at the same rate he had his whole career. Last year, he was on another level until hurt.
- JRoenick97

If you could drop Anisimov, and add a player such as Victor Rask, who is 24, gives you similar point production with a high upside, is a 50% face-off guy AND has speed. You are a better team. AND at 4 MIL for the next 5 years. I don't know if they could get him or not, but that's the type of player they should be looking for at 3C.

If you could drop Anisimov, and add a player such as Victor Rask, who is 24, gives you similar point production with a high upside, is a 50% face-off guy AND has speed. You are a better team. AND at 4 MIL for the next 5 years. I don't know if they could get him or not, but that's the type of player they should be looking for at 3C.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Straight up? Not a chance.

Straight up? Not a chance.
- BINGO!

No of course not. But how about Anisimov and Hartman for Rask? Lines of Saad Toews Panik, Kane Rask/Schmaltz Debrincat, Sharp Rask/Schmaltz Hayden, Vinny Wingels Bouma? Now no matter what you have two speedy scoring lines that are 50% on draws, and Rask is coat controlled for the next 5 years. Tell me they aren't better.

Ex-Hawk Update:

Darling is still trying to find his way. Has been a bit up and down but more good than bad. Looks like he's starting to settle in.

Teravainen has been the second best forward for the Canes this year. Seems a lot more determined to make things happen.

TVR is TVR. Nothing special, but does his job reasonably well. A B- player who does what B- players do.

Kruger continues to be a nice surprise. Just a pain in the ass to play against. He and Nordstrom have been pretty much perfect 4th line guys.
- BINGO!

Teravainen, for all his flaws, is a guy the Hawks would have never traded before his ELC was up if not for the (self-inflicted) Salary Cap issues. He was a 1st round pick for a reason, he has excellent puck skills and vision. But, he is small and allergic to contact, and I'm not sure where he would fit in the lineup today for the Hawks.

Teravainen, for all his flaws, is a guy the Hawks would have never traded before his ELC was up if not for the (self-inflicted) Salary Cap issues. He was a 1st round pick for a reason, he has excellent puck skills and vision. But, he is small and allergic to contact, and I'm not sure where he would fit in the lineup today for the Hawks.
- EnzoD

He's coming around to contact. Even threw a nice hit last night.

If you could drop Anisimov, and add a player such as Victor Rask, who is 24, gives you similar point production with a high upside, is a 50% face-off guy AND has speed. You are a better team. AND at 4 MIL for the next 5 years. I don't know if they could get him or not, but that's the type of player they should be looking for at 3C.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

There's a difference between AA not being a young, fast, new guy and declaring his contract terrible and him dead as a player after 10 games. Sure, there's someone better out there, but that's true of almost any player on any team.

Teravainen, for all his flaws, is a guy the Hawks would have never traded before his ELC was up if not for the (self-inflicted) Salary Cap issues. He was a 1st round pick for a reason, he has excellent puck skills and vision. But, he is small and allergic to contact, and I'm not sure where he would fit in the lineup today for the Hawks.
- EnzoD

He looks like a different player so far this year. On pace for 41 hits this year so far. Let's hope he keeps it up. Has been much more assertive all over the ice.

My expectations when the season started was a fringe playoff team and that hasn't changed through 10 games....way early I know. Lost of warts that can be fixed, and I'm not writing off the season.......

However, this team once again is 1 line. Toews and Saad and whoever else. They are asking Kane to carry not 1 legitimate top 6 guy....Panik is nice but inconsistent. Hartman's NHL future is a bottom 6 role player...Schmaltz? No idea, but is he a proven commodity as a top 6? No.....and it's no surprise to me that kane's production has slipped because you took marque skill away from him. To me I would go the Ducks route and load up....Saad-Toews-Kane and let that line explode, and fill in the rest.

As far Toews eating habits.....these are professional athletes. They have dieticians and planned meals etc to fuel their bodies correctly. Do other professional athletes have grow houses they pimp? Ahh.....no. So what magic bean is Toews ingesting that has results into on ice increased performance because of it?

When I look at this core.....and this core to me now is 5 deep.......19/88/2/7/50 I see two guys 88/50 who have gotten better year after year. I see 3 guys whos skill sets have plateaued. That's the issue and by the way that's also your veteran leadership .
- SteveRain

I thought it was quite amusing that when Schmaltz went down it coincided with the Hawks coming back to earth in the third game and everyone said it was due to not having their star 2nd line center who now suddenly has all this speed and is so great...

We know why Stan has been issuing crazy contracts to folks who don't live up to them... Its his way of luring UFAs when you're always up against the cap - the promise of future deals. Its stupid, but its his way.

There's a difference between AA not being a young, fast, new guy and declaring his contract terrible and him dead as a player after 10 games. Sure, there's someone better out there, but that's true of almost any player on any team.
- JRoenick97

I don't really even have a problem with his contract. 4.5 is fine, but he's likely only going to be stagnant or get worse from here out. Try and move him and Hartman for Rask. They'll be better for it not only this year but for the next few years to come. Solid up the middle with two young cost controlled centers.

I don't really even have a problem with his contract. 4.5 is fine, but he's likely only going to be stagnant or get worse from here out. Try and move him and Hartman for Rask. They'll be better for it not only this year but for the next few years to come. Solid up the middle with two young cost controlled centers.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

That's fine. Just hte original comment I replied to was declaring the contract "another bad one by Stan, blah blah blah" which is nonsense for what AA has brought.

There's a difference between AA not being a young, fast, new guy and declaring his contract terrible and him dead as a player after 10 games. Sure, there's someone better out there, but that's true of almost any player on any team.
- JRoenick97

My concern for AA would be that his physical game has completely disappeared from where it used to be, and he's already given the puck away 5 times in the first ten games, when he only had 16 and 14 giveaways the last two seasons respectively.

It's still early, so who knows, but his shot rate seems to have dropped off a bit too. Something's up.

I don't really even have a problem with his contract. 4.5 is fine, but he's likely only going to be stagnant or get worse from here out. Try and move him and Hartman for Rask. They'll be better for it not only this year but for the next few years to come. Solid up the middle with two young cost controlled centers.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Why would Carolina do that, though? What benefit is AA and Hartman to them as opposed to Rask?

Also, CAR is at 49 contracts right now. They likely won't be keen to be at the max 50 before the trade deadline.

My concern for AA would be that his physical game has completely disappeared from where it used to be, and he's already given the puck away 5 times in the first ten games, when he only had 16 and 14 giveaways the last two seasons respectively.

It's still early, so who knows, but his shot rate seems to have dropped off a bit too. Something's up.
- BINGO!

Something is definitely up. I still think dumping him at a loss for iffy prospects would hurt more than help.

Many feel the same about Toews, Seabrook, etc. It's a tough spot to be in.

My concern for AA would be that his physical game has completely disappeared from where it used to be, and he's already given the puck away 5 times in the first ten games, when he only had 16 and 14 giveaways the last two seasons respectively.

It's still early, so who knows, but his shot rate seems to have dropped off a bit too. Something's up.
- BINGO!

I think it's a product of that line he's on and that he's possibly nursing something. Him, ADB and Sharp just haven't clicked much.

We'll see how they do tonight against the Preds...
I have a feeling we'll start seeing the Rockford shuttle in action shortly.


as far as AA's deal another no mover...shocker there...I think the thing that was surprising was what was the rush to extend the guy right after the trade was made. I think it was more of a take that Saad moment by Stan.

John I'm really bummed to hear that you may be moving on here. This place would not be the same without you...thanks again for everything you've done for us. Best to you and your family.

Why would Carolina do that, though? What benefit is AA and Hartman to them as opposed to Rask?

Also, CAR is at 49 contracts right now. They likely won't be keen to be at the max 50 before the trade deadline.
- BINGO!

Personally I think Carolina could benefit from having another veteran presence in the locker room. Plus I think they could really benefit getting a player like Hartman. Gritty player with skill. Plus think about the lines then for Carolina, Aho Staal Lindholm, move Teuvo to center and have the second line Skinner Teuvo Williams, Stempniak (once healthy) Anisimov Hartman, Nordstrom Ryan/Kruger Jooris? That looks pretty good to me.

Personally I think Carolina could benefit from having another veteran presence in the locker room. Plus I think they could really benefit getting a player like Hartman. Gritty player with skill. Plus think about the lines then for Carolina, Aho Staal Lindholm, move Teuvo to center and have the second line Skinner Teuvo Williams, Stempniak (once healthy) Anisimov Hartman, Nordstrom Ryan/Kruger Jooris? That looks pretty good to me.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Plus Carolina has a good handful of players who could probably make other NHL clubs. They're stocked with young talent.

Plus Carolina has a good handful of players who could probably make other NHL clubs. They're stocked with young talent.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Of which Rask is a big part of. Centers are more valuable than wingers. Especially big, young, mobile ones.

Personally I think Carolina could benefit from having another veteran presence in the locker room. Plus I think they could really benefit getting a player like Hartman. Gritty player with skill. Plus think about the lines then for Carolina, Aho Staal Lindholm, move Teuvo to center and have the second line Skinner Teuvo Williams, Stempniak (once healthy) Anisimov Hartman, Nordstrom Ryan/Kruger Jooris? That looks pretty good to me.
- Toew Drags 4 Daze

Sure, but why cause a bigger logjam for bottom 6 guys when you already have one?
I'm not sure that having AA and Hartman on the 3rd line really is worth trading away Victor Rask.

There are 7 guys on the team who have won cup(s). Not sure the "veteran presence" of Artem Anisimov is really necessary, especially when there's questions about his health right now.

Of which Rask is a big part of. Centers are more valuable than wingers. Especially big, young, mobile ones.
- kinigitt

Only way I see Rask moving is as the center piece to a package for an upgrade at C. He's locked into that contract for 4 more years after this one, and should continue to be a solid 45~ point guy for that entire time period.

Sure, but why cause a bigger logjam for bottom 6 guys when you already have one?
I'm not sure that having AA and Hartman on the 3rd line really is worth trading away Victor Rask.

There are 7 guys on the team who have won cup(s). Not sure the "veteran presence" of Artem Anisimov is really necessary, especially when there's questions about his health right now.
- BINGO!

I guess that's fair. But I'm looking at it from a points perspective as well. Anisimovs
yearly 40-45 points cancels out Rasks, and then you have the 19 goals and 12 apples from Hartman, that's another 31 points. Plus you move Teuvo back to his natural position which is center which would only benefit him, I guess I kinda see that as a win win for both teams but maybe I'm wrong.