Hey Justin, nice write up and have been enjoying your work since coming on board.

10 thoughts is a lot...how about let's say I agree with most of yours but have a few questions.

Toews didn't look great last night but I think he's been off to a bit better start than the last few seasons. The numbers you posted, are the previous year's representative of a full season or just the first quarter which is about where we're at now?

Also, on center depth, is there a possible bottom 6 solution from within? Dolphin?

On AA...could be wrong but I think I saw the injury from last season was a high ankle sprain which can take pretty long to heal. Any chance that was still bothering him to start the season?
- HawkintheD

Sorry guys and gals - just catching up now.

Thanks HawkintheD - not sure the centre depth is in the pipeline this year.

I'm a big fan of Dauphin and I know the Hawks are too. He wasn't just a throw in in that Hammer trade.

The odd thing is that he's been playing wing and centre in RFD, not being honed as a C only down there. It's early, but I think they are getting Colliton to see where he he fits best as a pro.

Hmmm, few thoughts from last night. I'm no blogger but here goes.

1. A win is a win but it was not pretty. Will be an up and down year for sure.
2. Defense is a work in progress, too often they got beaten on the outside by NY's speed.
3. Youth is progressing - takes time and they will make mistakes but keep seeing good things from the likes of ADB, Schmaltz and Hayden
4. CC was solid and gives them a chance to win more often than not.
5. Sharp is invisible and is this years Campbell. Should be gone next year.
6. Toews, my favorite whipping boy, actually love this guy but man whatever he had is gone - something has to give cause he's not helping this team right now and when your top salary guy is not producing and has not been for a long time the team has bigger issues and we can debate all we want but that and the lack of depth is what is making this team so so.....too much money on players simply not producing at the level they are being paid - how do you fix, not sure - tough one.
7. Seabrook - see #6 but worse - at least his minutes are down, same should happen soon to #19.
8.Would like to see Hinny up.
9. Some bad calls I thought from the refs.
10. Keep up the good write ups - always enjoy the read and the banter.
- Hawkster

Nice!

The Sharp comment is becoming more true every day.

He's been a nice support piece and doesn't hurt you defensively, so he's been a solid buffer for the young guys to grow.

By the new year, I see him as 4th line / 13th forward.

Agreed. Justin has been doing some great work!

I wouldn't mind seeing Dauphin or Vinnie get a chance. Not that I expect them to be the magic bullet, but it could give Q some options.
- DarthKane

Thanks Darth.

He's next up and could happen sooner than later, but something needs to drop with the current forward group (ie. injury or trade).

Here are my thoughts on Toews:

Nice guy...

Best all around Hawk player ever ( 2007 - 2014)

But now, IMO a solid 3rd line center ( 2015 - 2017 ) making 10.5 million a year for 5 more years.

Remedy:

Put Toews on third line ... His production would get better ( like Hossa's last year)
Pass the captain's torch to Kane. ( less stress for Toews and it might ignite Kaner)
Take Toews off the power play ( not effective / younger guys will be more creative)
If Toews play does not improve by January...time to call Winnepeg .

Great blog Justin! And I agree on all 10 points. With regards to Toews, I have always been a huge fan and supporter of Toews but his play during this slump has been awful. Like you, I am most alarmed with his defensive play as of late. Offense is often a question of confidence and I know from my own experience, when I lack confidence in my offensesive play, I try and crank up my defensive play to help my teammates. He does not appear to be doing that anymore which is alarming. I suspect one of four things:
1) He has lost that hunger to be the leader and best all around player he was in the past in which case we can only hope he gets it back
2) He can't handle the total lack of team defensive structure the team is currently going through with breakdowns everywhere (like three Hawks going after one guy with the puck leaving huge gaps in overall defensive zone coverage) resulting in him losing focus on what he needs to be doing
3) just total lack of confidence in his overall game, or
4) all of the above.
Perhaps Seab's can give Toews a good talking to like he did in game 5 of the playoffs against the Dead Wings in the 2013 playoffs. And then maybe Toews will reciprocate with Seabs.
- FourOrr

This is a thing.

Winning hides a lot as well for individuals. So I suspect the Hawks get on some nice streaks and Toews will come around a bit. I'm just concerned how much he can still contribute.

Love the guy and want nothing more than him to get it going. Last year he had that incredible stretch with Schmaltz and Panik after some rough patches.

Absolutely. He had a great game last night.
- JRoenick97

Seabs did and it didn't go unnoticed by Q.

He says he's struggled but his game looked good last night. Eluded his minutes will increase with more performances like that. Whether he's just posturing for the media or not, who knows? He looked real good with that kind of usage.

Toews has been too busy focusing on his line of toasters, available exclusively at Canadian Tire.

My face on a toasted piece of bread??? Yeah, this is happening.
Presenting, the Toews-ter. #GiveAToast @CanadianTire https://t.co/gurhM4flfT pic.twitter.com/1duZACZtsh

— Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) November 16, 2017

- DarthKane

I WANT IT!

Hawks / Pens Sunday. Me and older son will be there. Older son is wearing a Harty Havlat jersey. I hope my son doesn't sprain his toe on the way into the rink.
- kwolf68

Enjoy the game tomorrow and give us your in-person views afterwards please!

THE CAT!!!
- EnzoD

Niiiiice.

Keep this photo on hand. We may be seeing more and more ADB games like that.

With the drop in overall talent, The Cat's skill-set will be leaned upon a lot as a secondary threat. He's really getting into the groove and Q is giving him a long leash (not that he's needed one) and putting him in spots to succeed.

Late to the party - however from an untrained eye my 10 are:

1. Great Job Justin!
2. Can we do away with Porn Stashes for Movember - I am sure we can represent in better ways??
3. The D is growing on me. They may be a year or so away from turning the corner - however on the right track
4. If 19 is playing with an injury - sit him until healed. There are too many years at 10.5 to make it worse. Don't need or want Dustin Brown II
5. Same goes for Seabs - and send him to skating camp, look how it helped 8
6. Hard question coming up - Plan A: trade some of the minimal assets for a rental only to get bounced in round 1 or 2 - OR Plan B: stand pat, miss the playoffs and build for next year? I vote B
7. Give Cro a few more games rest this year. He is destine for a Seabs collapse if his workload exceeds 60 games
8. The collar on the new uni's suck
9. Big John Stud Hayden is becoming a favorite. The guy has a second set... coach this kid up to the point he EARNS a bigger role.
10. Whats with Pierre complementing King Hank for NOT throwing a hissey fit when he was pulled chalking it up to AV.
- riozzo

Thanks Riozza - nice list as well.

He's stealing my heart with games like that.

Justin or whoever wants to chime in: I would say the next 10 game could possibly define the hawk's season. So what do the hawks need, d man but what team is going to give the hawks a top 4 d man without sacrifice are future d cat Hartman skirau etc... So now that we are down a center do smaltz moving the wing now we need 2 centers now so that should be the focus or a power forward but what and who would we target?
- Scott1977

Hawks still trying to find out what they have in this team.

I think the next 10 games will tell a lot - they have some tough opponents but a lighter schedule. They need to capitalize on that time off in that pretty new practice facility.

From what I've seen/heard, I think Hawks will look make some decisions on some players by the new year.

The defence will shake out a little better, I think, which will help Stan/Q.

Forsling looks like a player and they seem to like Rutta (he will need to be resigned).

I think they move Kempny (he will NOT want to resign here if his playing time continues to be limited) but he won't fetch you much.

Finding a top 4 D is not going to happen out of thin air, but if they find a project like they did in Oduya, they will pull the trigger. They will want a mobile, experienced dman to add to the mix.

Stan will also look to free up a spot up front in the new year/trade deadline if Sikura gives the word that he will sign. That's not a certainty yet, but with the signing of his older brother, coupled with the potential to play (look no further than Hayden) he should see a path to his shot. My hunch is he signs.

Then, this may make a Hartman or Panik available as those types could garner a helpful return.

I think we should all be grateful that JJ's successor is such an excellent and involved blogger.
- BMWChiFan

Appreciate it the feedback BMW.

It's been a lot of fun so far, thanks to you fine folks here.

Absolutely without a doubt on that one.. fantastic up to this point and I’m sure there is more on the way...

Maybe he can shed some light on what blowman is doing?
- bigfly46

Working on it bigfly - all is quiet though. Been a weird year and more nervous energy around the Hawks execs than year's past.

Woah... I really took over page 7 here.

Someone else say something... anyone still up out there?

For any of you who watched the "Toews-ter" commercial, did it seem like he was slurring his words more than usual?

I've wondered as I've watched some of things he has been doing the past couple of years that are uncharacteristic - bobbling passes he would normally have had (sending and receiving), falling more, losing his temper more, etc. - and wondered if we aren't seeing the effects of the concussions he has had.

I'm probably hearing things, because it's the thing I worry about the most with him.

Here are my thoughts on Toews:

Nice guy...

Best all around Hawk player ever ( 2007 - 2014)

But now, IMO a solid 3rd line center ( 2015 - 2017 ) making 10.5 million a year for 5 more years.

Remedy:

Put Toews on third line ... His production would get better ( like Hossa's last year)
Pass the captain's torch to Kane. ( less stress for Toews and it might ignite Kaner)
Take Toews off the power play ( not effective / younger guys will be more creative)
If Toews play does not improve by January...time to call Winnepeg .
- spanky

let's see we have 10.5 mildo former con smythe 3C who might be lucky to get 50 pts this year and 7 mildo dman that Q needs to spot play for 16-18 minutes per...

and this team is suppose to compete for a cup...

see other teams blow 3-0 and 4-2 leads in the 3rd...wild comeback to beat the perds 6-4...

Hawks still trying to find out what they have in this team.

I think the next 10 games will tell a lot - they have some tough opponents but a lighter schedule. They need to capitalize on that time off in that pretty new practice facility.

From what I've seen/heard, I think Hawks will look make some decisions on some players by the new year.

The defence will shake out a little better, I think, which will help Stan/Q.

Forsling looks like a player and they seem to like Rutta (he will need to be resigned).

I think they move Kempny (he will NOT want to resign here if his playing time continues to be limited) but he won't fetch you much.

Finding a top 4 D is not going to happen out of thin air, but if they find a project like they did in Oduya, they will pull the trigger. They will want a mobile, experienced dman to add to the mix.

Stan will also look to free up a spot up front in the new year/trade deadline if Sikura gives the word that he will sign. That's not a certainty yet, but with the signing of his older brother, coupled with the potential to play (look no further than Hayden) he should see a path to his shot. My hunch is he signs.

Then, this may make a Hartman or Panik available as those types could garner a helpful return.
- Justin Lowe

Justin, just want to say thanks for your work here.

Why do you think Kempny would not fetch much? Dman (especially with experience) are always in demand. I think he needs to play more and he will be fine.

For any of you who watched the "Toews-ter" commercial, did it seem like he was slurring his words more than usual?

I've wondered as I've watched some of things he has been doing the past couple of years that are uncharacteristic - bobbling passes he would normally have had (sending and receiving), falling more, losing his temper more, etc. - and wondered if we aren't seeing the effects of the concussions he has had.

I'm probably hearing things, because it's the thing I worry about the most with him.
- pdx2ord

You're not alone in that theory. I see the same thing.

let's see we have 10.5 mildo former con smythe 3C who might be lucky to get 50 pts this year and 7 mildo dman that Q needs to spot play for 16-18 minutes per...

and this team is suppose to compete for a cup...

- bogiedoc

Exactly!
Maybe time to call Bergevin in MTL?
They lost against Arizona of all teams and I'm sure the pitchforks are coming so they might be desperate and make a knee-jerk reaction move....package for Toews?

The Leafs have waited for a player like Matthews for decades, trading him would be insane.

I can see the Leafs trading Nylander, Marner and Rielly in a deal before #34.

Me thinks Howard is looking for some pageviews.
- Justin Lowe

Welcome to DK's post, where 90% of the time he's being sarcastic

Welcome to DK's post, where 90% of the time he's being sarcastic
- JRoenick97

Welcome to DK's post, where 90% of the time he's being sarcastic
- JRoenick97

Haha... I was more just dumbfounded of Berger's story.

I know Darth is smarter than that.

And, they should play him whenever the other teams net is empty.

- isu83boo

Hush because you might be giving anti-Hawk Tanner some ammo in case The Cat gets ROTY consideration.

Panarin --> too old
Debrincat --> too many empty netters

- DarthKane