Went to the game last night. A few thoughts.
The team is a rudderless ship for at least half the game. With all the new and especially younger players they need continuity more than ever to acclimate. The line blender and especially the shifting of positions and sides is hindering any progress. Play the (frank)ing cards you're dealt. And if you can't or won't, then excuse yourself from the table before the bouncers drag anyone out.

Some players have high hockey IQ and some not so much. Saad might be big, strong, and fast, but he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. More times than not he never sees the weak side open man when he has the puck. Very good player due to his attributes, but he is what he is and that's his ceiling. On the other hand, ADB is to me very impressive for his quick thinking. Never to be as dominating as Saad can be due to his size. But he made the best heads up play last night I've seen in a long time (not counting Kane). He was going around the net behind Crawford and had the puck stripped already knowing that the puck is prolly going to wind up in front of the net. Nash was standing right next to the net. So ADB gives Nash a little shot. Not enough to get the ref's attention so no penalty, but enough for Nash to have to grab the net to keep his balance. The result was Nash making the net come up as the puck was in the low slot. That would have nullified any goal that was scored. Most players smaller than Nash (just about everyone) would avoid contact there, but this runt initiated it. Stellar defensive recovery for the kid.

Most say this team needs a center with a bit of size for the bottom 6. And Kero is sitting? WTF. He has a clue and a bit of size. If he's injured or not I haven't heard, but there is your 3rd line center waiting to happen.

Lol zuccharello is 5'7 170lbs he should never beat 19 in a physical puck battle, much less twice in a row on key plays. Kudos to Zucc for actually battling, something 19 either cannot or will not do consistently anymore.
- EnzoD

Toews literally said in the offseason he's not able to play a heavy game anymore and is focused on speed, skill, and movement. Meanwhile Kane hasn't won a board battle or even tried on in 3 years but people don't care when he gives it up because that's his game.

According to JJ he doesn't belong in the NHL, Fortin does.
- scott.jackson

To be fair until the last 5 games or so he had only one goal with a
goalie in the net, he was struggling with his usual one a game TO
at the blueline and generally wasn't contributing a whole heckuva
lot.

That said one could watch Cat and knows he has it and can play
in this league with the right teammates, I'm sure someone up in
Edm would love him as a linemate.

Q generally has trouble with youngsters imo though Ill get beat up
for mentioning that, but the best line in the preseason was 12/8/88
has that line been together at all during the season, nope.

Keith couldn't make a tape to tape pass, something's wrong? During
our run we were the team that always had the odd man advantage
by decent margin, now we're the team giving up odd man breaks
on the PP after dumpins and on most breakouts, that's a terrible trend.

To be fair until the last 5 games or so he had only one goal with a
goalie in the net, he was struggling with his usual one a game TO
at the blueline and generally wasn't contributing a whole heckuva
lot.

That said one could watch Cat and knows he has it and can play
in this league with the right teammates, I'm sure someone up in
Edm would love him as a linemate.

Q generally has trouble with youngsters imo though Ill get beat up
for mentioning that, but the best line in the preseason was 12/8/88
has that line been together at all during the season, nope.

Keith couldn't make a tape to tape pass, something's wrong? During
our run we were the team that always had the odd man advantage
by decent margin, now we're the team giving up odd man breaks
on the PP after dumpins and on most breakouts, that's a terrible trend.
- gazza53

I think it’s time to stop comparing this team to the last Cup runs: that team is gone.

Of the players on that team, only Kane, Crawford and Saad are playing as well as they did then - the rest who are still here (Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Sharp) have at best slowed down by age, injury, wear and tear - and need to play a different game to be effective (they haven’t learned how yet) - and at worst....

And look who are gone, and not really really replaced - Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Kruger, Hossa, Hossa, and Hossa.

This is a different team, and with the slowing core, new hopes in Schmaltz and deBrincat, and new vets like Anisimov, Panik - we don’t know yet what we have here - Cup contenders or continuous play-off contenders and one-and-dones.

To be fair until the last 5 games or so he had only one goal with a
goalie in the net, he was struggling with his usual one a game TO
at the blueline and generally wasn't contributing a whole heckuva
lot.

That said one could watch Cat and knows he has it and can play
in this league with the right teammates, I'm sure someone up in
Edm would love him as a linemate.

Q generally has trouble with youngsters imo though Ill get beat up
for mentioning that, but the best line in the preseason was 12/8/88
has that line been together at all during the season, nope.

Keith couldn't make a tape to tape pass, something's wrong? During
our run we were the team that always had the odd man advantage
by decent margin, now we're the team giving up odd man breaks
on the PP after dumpins and on most breakouts, that's a terrible trend.
- gazza53

Saw him making them as the game wore on. 12/8/88 might be good but hard to argue the results of moving 8 to the LW and letting overpaid 3C AA
center him and Kane.

Like 66 was saying I think DeBrincat seems like a pretty smart player and some of his acclimation was likely getting used to the speed of the game. He's not as slow as I was led to believe or as weak along the boards either.

Every d-man last night had 50%+ corsi. Seabrook and Franson best at 60. Q used them properly yesterday.

I still do not understand why Q loves bouma so much. Played 3rd line Minutes yesterday. Kero had a goal on sunday and then was scrated. I also thought murphy has started to look better.

Saw him making them as the game wore on. 12/8/88 might be good but hard to argue the results of moving 8 to the LW and letting
- HawkintheDoverpaid 3C AA
center him and Kane.

Like 66 was saying I think DeBrincat seems like a pretty smart player and some of his acclimation was likely getting used to the speed of the game. He's not as slow as I was led to believe or as weak along the boards either.

Hi Hawk, on the subject of skating, another thing I saw in person that I couldn't see on tv was that Murphy skates better than I thought. On tv in the play he is a bit unsteady and not as strong as the opposition sometimes on his skates. But in general he has the ability to "get there". The stumbles might be his youth showing, but from what I saw last night he might not be the lost cause most here think. He should have been in the AHL instead of Phoenix for a couple of years and if so I think he might have progressed more than he has. Not sure a trip to the Rock would be good now or even possible, but I saw enough to have more patience with him. I'm slightly encouraged.

thank you

Watched the game on TV last night.
They went out and won the game. It was not a case of the Rangers losing.
While they coughed up a 4-1 lead when it got to 4-3, they went and got an insurance goal before the empty netter at the end.
I like this team better than last year's edition, with the exception of no Hossa. If they still had Hoss, I'd be saying this is a cup contender.
Forsling stood out, big time in a good way.
Anisimov finally got some real goal love for paying the price in front of the net. Hayden did also.
From all the replays, I think DeBrincat's goal was the result of a shot that had more pepper on it than has been given credit.

Happy for the W, but I have no confidence in this team.

First period was a more accurate representation of who they are.

If they do score, it just feels like it's luck and not really strong play/setup, etc.

So shaky trying to hold a lead and constantly let teams back in.

Having just read JJ's column I was reminded that I forgot one thing. Forsling reminds me of a young Doug Wilson. Not big, mobile, huge shot. Having a steady partner for a longer length of time should help him deflect and handle heavy forechecking pressure he is sure to face. Another potential future bright spot on the roster, hopefully sooner than later. And I think that all depends on a suitable and steady partner. Willie had Dave Hutchinson, a slug D man. All respects to LBR and her stats, Hutchy would have made her throw up. But his value was how he supported Wilson. Classic glue guy with borderline skills. Every team needs guys like that. Find one for Forsling and he's going to be a keeper.

Toews literally said in the offseason he's not able to play a heavy game anymore and is focused on speed, skill, and movement. Meanwhile Kane hasn't won a board battle or even tried on in 3 years but people don't care when he gives it up because that's his game.
- JRoenick97

Dude... give it a rest. Kane wins plenty of board battles for the roll he plays. He is also an elite scoring wing. His job isn't to grind along the boards. Toews however is supposed to be an elite two way center.

Defending him because he won some board battles and maintained possession? The man is supposed to be a top 10 player in the NHL. Glad he lost weight and is trying to change his game. He does not look anymore dangerous with the puck. His scoring is not up. He does not appear to be any faster or quicker. He does not appear to have any more skill. He does not appear to play with more movement either. If anything he takes more plays off then he used to.

The only thing different about his game is he loses more board battles and gets pushed off the puck more easily.

19 was my favorite player. First authentic hawks sweater I bought was his. But he is not the same player he used to be. Praising him for doing things any good 3rd line center should do is pathetic.

Hi Hawk, on the subject of skating, another thing I saw in person that I couldn't see on tv was that Murphy skates better than I thought. On tv in the play he is a bit unsteady and not as strong as the opposition sometimes on his skates. But in general he has the ability to "get there". The stumbles might be his youth showing, but from what I saw last night he might not be the lost cause most here think. He should have been in the AHL instead of Phoenix for a couple of years and if so I think he might have progressed more than he has. Not sure a trip to the Rock would be good now or even possible, but I saw enough to have more patience with him. I'm slightly encouraged.
- 6628

Thanks for the report and good to know. Was discussing with some friends and most agreed he's been looking better and that he had a quiet steady game last night.

New team, teammates, getting used to playing for Q, shorter leash than AZ...all things to get used to I would think. At least Q seems like he's committing to playing him now...I hope.

Forsling seemed to have a really strong game last night too and looked really good at both ends of the ice. Wolf mentioned a weak pass that appeared to me to be him just whiffing on it in his own end but other than that I thought he was great. Anything you saw live that was different or that you liked?

Oh I can handle pal ,just don't like front runners to much .. Like I said 1/2 this board wanted AA traded dumped whatever , but tonight he's god !!
- oldduffman

duffer,
you know the old saying"don't get in a pi$$ing match with a skunk" You just cant win with clowns on this board. It's a waste of time and energy

Watched the game on TV last night.
They went out and won the game. It was not a case of the Rangers losing.
While they coughed up a 4-1 lead when it got to 4-3, they went and got an insurance goal before the empty netter at the end.
I like this team better than last year's edition, with the exception of no Hossa. If they still had Hoss, I'd be saying this is a cup contender.
Forsling stood out, big time in a good way.
Anisimov finally got some real goal love for paying the price in front of the net. Hayden did also.
From all the replays, I think DeBrincat's goal was the result of a shot that had more pepper on it than has been given credit.
- 35Tony0

Absolutely. A good shooter uses the whole blade, heel to toe. That imparts a lot of rotation, and it's that rotation that helps it wiggle out of the goalies web and leak out. That rotation is also what makes the puck slide flat. So all you guys who automatically think the ice is poop when the puck bounces need to realize that maybe the puck handler isn't utilizing proper handling skills. Checking pressure limits a puck handlers ability to use proper technique or maybe the guy just sucks. But if the puck is bouncing in the first half of a period, it's not the ice. Toward the end of a period sure the ice is all chopped up.

So what about...

Saad Toews Kane
Cat Anisimov Schmaltz
Sharp Hayden Panik
Bouma Wingles Hartman
- SoftServe

Not bad , but I'd put Hayden on the 4th
bring up Vinnie on the 3rd

let Bouma go to the press box/Rock

Not bad , but I'd put Hayden on the 4th
bring up Vinnie on the 3rd

let Bouma go to the press box/Rock
- gazza53

Hayden is the best lower line player on the Hawks.

Always has the motor going, plays physical, has skill, etc.

Thank you. I thought I was going insane reading this board. Toews was skating all over chasing guys, pinning it deep in their zone, and he had great possession in the 3rd while the other team had the lead and people are all over him for not winning every battle. here's a hint, nobody wins every battle, especially not a 29 year old guy who focused his training on skill and speed over playing a heavy game. Guys age, they change styles and adapt. They have to. Oh, and he was 65% in the FO circle. He drew top competition on a team that hadn't lost in 8 games. Probably his hardest assignment all season.
- JRoenick97

NEW BLOG UP... with some tough trends for Toews.

I sure hope it's him just being on a cold streak, but his play at times is alarming.

I watched him more defensively than offensively last night and his back checking and coverage in the d-zone is not, very "Selke-like".

Thanks for the report and good to know. Was discussing with some friends and most agreed he's been looking better and that he had a quiet steady game last night.

New team, teammates, getting used to playing for Q, shorter leash than AZ...all things to get used to I would think. At least Q seems like he's committing to playing him now...I hope.

Forsling seemed to have a really strong game last night too and looked really good at both ends of the ice. Wolf mentioned a weak pass that appeared to me to be him just whiffing on it in his own end but other than that I thought he was great. Anything you saw live that was different or that you liked?
- HawkintheD

To expand a bit on Murphy, I noticed him doing a lot of small cross unders when he was not moving fast. That's classic power skating instructions being listened to. Yet he has a good full stride. It's those half stride things that make a guy more stable at low speeds or in a puck battle. They also make a guy bend his knees which makes him more stable. Murphy seemed to almost exaggerate the 1/2 strides at times. All that suggests to me that a skating coach is working with him and that he is listening. He is a bit skinny but should fill out in time. And if he is in fact coachable then in time he should be a reliable 3 or 4 D man. As said, I think it's encouraging.

As far as Forsling, I think he will give the team consistency to the extent the coach gives him consistency. Partner, preferable side to play, ice time. It all matters. And I think if done well he pays dividends sooner rather than later.

I think it’s time to stop comparing this team to the last Cup runs: that team is gone.

Of the players on that team, only Kane, Crawford and Saad are playing as well as they did then - the rest who are still here (Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Sharp) have at best slowed down by age, injury, wear and tear - and need to play a different game to be effective (they haven’t learned how yet) - and at worst....

And look who are gone, and not really really replaced - Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Kruger, Hossa, Hossa, and Hossa.

This is a different team, and with the slowing core, new hopes in Schmaltz and deBrincat, and new vets like Anisimov, Panik - we don’t know yet what we have here - Cup contenders or continuous play-off contenders and one-and-dones.
- StLBravesFan

Yes the wear and tear have taken their toll but both the players and the coach must
adjust to that reality, Toews has played well, not great, Keith started well has slowed
the last couple of games, Seabs is plain not very good, and Sharp has been playing better lately the 3rd or 4th line suits him, a post here and a pretty good stop by the king or he's on the scoreboard. Altogether only Toews maybe Keith should be on the
2nd PP line.

Hossa is irreplaceable, EOS.

Different team yes, not talent laden not talent deprived but in need of different system, coaching, as the game changes so must the FO, Coach's, players, the youth
throughout the league is so much better than the youth even 10 years ago.

Saw him making them as the game wore on. 12/8/88 might be good but hard to argue the results of moving 8 to the LW and letting
- HawkintheDoverpaid 3C AA
center him and Kane.

Like 66 was saying I think DeBrincat seems like a pretty smart player and some of his acclimation was likely getting used to the speed of the game. He's not as slow as I was led to believe or as weak along the boards either.

He has the it factor and is a keeper IMO.

Hayden is the best lower line player on the Hawks.

Always has the motor going, plays physical, has skill, etc.
- Hank3Henshaw

Agree, although I think Wingels has been an excellent addition.