I do not know why we are even discussing Pageau. If this is the Senators player being referred to, then it is not going to happen. He is too small (180 lbs) and makes too much money ($3M+) for what he contributes. I cannot see this happening.
- 67hawks

I am intrigued by Highmore. But is he going to play center or wing. He is the kind of player who MAY fit on a third or fourth line - has to be third line in Chicago. Four hard working lines. Or at least Highmore line might have potential to disrupt another team's line. Was it Al on this blog who mentioned the bottom six forwards whom are best is often the team which wins The Stanley Cup

I did not believe Pageau should be in the conversation because he is nothing special and is i thought a jockey. But I haven't a good line for sure on him. So I was merely pointing out that Sikura could likely be at minimum as good than Pageau. That said, I would be willing to take a look soon at Highmore. Then we have a better idea if we want to even consider trading for a center.

I also pointed out how I would hope with Sikura, DeBrincat, Schmaultz, even including Hinozstra, that we could move one of them for a larger [ i describe more here as a power] forward type who can win face offs. How this comes to fruition I will not predict. Let the situation play itself out.

And certainly do not trade Kempny. Maybe we can still hope he stays and Franson goes bye bye.[

I thought Kempny and OST looked better then Rutta and Franson. They are all pretty close but Rutta seems to have fallen off a bit and Franson just seemed to slow down. No idea why you play a guy like him on Back to back days. Maybe after the OST and Kempny showing he won't moving forward. Can we change up the power play a bit Everybody plays us 100% at the blue line if that is the case get all 5 guys moving and dump it in. I know this is not the best way to play but it keeps the D honest. if the whole team is moving forward when you dump they are going to start retreating early right now we have 4 guys standing still at the blue and so does the other team and one guy trying to skate it in with 9 guys within 5 feet of the blue line. The second unit enters the zone better but no one goes to the front of the net. I don't see why keith is on the PP unless they are concerned with SHorties. He cannot shot and he is AVG passer, and is not deceptive at all. I would love to see how many shots that he blasts from just inside the blue line would actually go into the goal if no one was on the ice. My guess is under 10%. Franson Seabs forsling are probably 50%

How did Kempny look last night?
- BlazinMike

Sitting for weeks takes its toll.

Given that - Kempny jumped in and looked great.
I for one wouldn’t be trading 6 anytime soon.

How did Kempny look last night?
- BlazinMike

Selected 3rd star.

Well well what are the HAWKS now since Vinny came up 4 and 0 ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to keep these 6 D-Men together for a while. Kempny has a lot to offer, coach him up, let him gain experience. I also think with his shot he needs to be looked at on the PowerPlay. Osterle is also a good shooter.

Hawks are now tied for 6th in the conference. Not far from 11th, but also not far from 3rd. Hockey 2017!!!

Well well what are the HAWKS now since Vinny came up 4 and 0 ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

It is not his great ability that has been telltale in the 4-0 record. It is partially his NHL experience how he could seamlessly fit at center + the skating speed factor. The team needed that speed on the third line. Personally I would wish last year's Panic + wish Highmore if he is same effective at LW. That would be a nice compliment each other type line. But anyway Vinny should stay at center with DeBrincat on top line. At least ride with these lines for a while.

At this point, I still think the one to trade is Panik. There doesn't seem to be a place for him in this lineup now. They are rolling four lines, finally. And if you look at the cap picture this summer, there are about 11 roster spots to fill, and about $10-15 mill to fill them, depending on how much the league raises the cap. Panik at $2.8 mill next year, ugh. Seemed good at the time, I guess.

If Kempny is not going to be signed, then sure, entertain trading him, but they will need as much depth as possible if they want to go anywhere this spring.

Well well what are the HAWKS now since Vinny came up 4 and 0 ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

OMG, he's back and you're still chirping. Maybe you should go be a guest coach too.

good. his goal was an absolute BOMB of a shot. but the entire team looked really strong last night. that's why this group is so dang puzzling...some nights they look terrific... other nights they look...well, not so terrific. they still need to make a move (or two).
- frafra

I'd add that if this team can figure out the PP quickly much like they fixed the PK last season - they would be dangerous going forward. If I were an opponent, I would push the envelope knowing that the Hawks PP is just a skate around the rink...

I'd add that if this team can figure out the PP quickly much like they fixed the PK last season - they would be dangerous going forward. If I were an opponent, I would push the envelope knowing that the Hawks PP is just a skate around the rink...
- riozzo

somebody said it earlier on the board and i wanted to comment then, but I would seriously consider running out some guys on their 4th line on the PP unit. They get o the net and have great presence. at this point, it's worth a shot because nothing else seems to be really working. 88 at the point hopefully will not be a thing anymore.

somebody said it earlier on the board and i wanted to comment then, but I would seriously consider running out some guys on their 4th line on the PP unit. They get o the net and have great presence. at this point, it's worth a shot because nothing else seems to be really working. 88 at the point hopefully will not be a thing anymore.
- frafra

I suggested this in a post a few days back. I really think that it would go a long way to generating more looks and scoring more goals on the power play to get Wingels, Bouma or Hayden out on the PP just to retrieve pucks on entries and then go to the net and create some net presence/space for the skill guys on the ice.

Of course it is more visually appealing to have smaller, faster players moving the puck quickly for one timers when they go in. But let's face it, the power play with it's current personnel and strategy has been flat out brutal and in a few cases has cost the Hawks momentum and the game.

Goals scored by hard work, screens, rebounds, etc may not be as visually pleasing but they count the same as a highlight film play. What a goalie can't see, he won't be able to save cleanly and they can get some greasy goals. No reason not to give it a try at this point. The team is finally starting to gel, probably the best game of the season last night and if they can fix the PP, they'll become very dangerous as long as the compete level stays at or near where it was last night.

Let's Go Hawks!

somebody said it earlier on the board and i wanted to comment then, but I would seriously consider running out some guys on their 4th line on the PP unit. They get o the net and have great presence. at this point, it's worth a shot because nothing else seems to be really working. 88 at the point hopefully will not be a thing anymore.
- frafra

Maybe. I think a better long term solution might be breaking up Kane and Toews and others on the first unit.

The second unit seems to shoot more pass less vs the the first unit. May be a way to break old habits that have existed long before this season.

THe start of Crow's postgame interview

He looked surprised the entire team put it together

https://www.nhl.com/black...rt/t-277512494/c-55737803

Maybe. I think a better long term solution might be breaking up Kane and Toews and others on the first unit.

The second unit seems to shoot more pass less vs the the first unit. May be a way to break old habits that have existed long before this season.
- HawkintheD

By "breaking up" you really mean "trading for cap space", right?

I honestly prefer the second PP unit as well, they seem to control the puck better.

Sitting for weeks takes its toll.

Given that - Kempny jumped in and looked great.
I for one wouldn’t be trading 6 anytime soon.
- Colbyboy

I agree that he should not be traded. However he will be a UFA this summer and the way he has been treated, it is quite likely he will not re-sign here.
He upped his trade value last night and with his low salary he is very tradable and we are looking to add.

I agree that he should not be traded. However he will be a UFA this summer and the way he has been treated, it is quite likely he will not re-sign here.
He upped his trade value last night and with his low salary he is very tradable and we are looking to add.
- 67hawks

(edit: this isn't directed at you personally, 67)

I have no issue trading Kempny. He's a decent bottom 6 defenseman, but it's not like the Hawks are going to build around him going forward. Plus, as you said he's a UFA at the end of the season and likely won't want to re-sign.

A couple days ago people were shipping Kempny off to Ottawa, now after one decent game he's a guy to hold onto?

If Kempny has some trade value I would certainly be open to dealing him if the return was right.

Time to keep these 6 D-Men together for a while. Kempny has a lot to offer, coach him up, let him gain experience. I also think with his shot he needs to be looked at on the PowerPlay. Osterle is also a good shooter.

Hawks are now tied for 6th in the conference. Not far from 11th, but also not far from 3rd. Hockey 2017!!!
- kwolf68

Whether Kempny signs or not, It is TBD and we just wait and see if he actually can hold a spot on this defense. Ruuta out for a while is a break for him. You know that baring injury Keith, Seabrook, Forsling, Murphy will hold four spots.

Murphy has value as he may play either side, plus he is WILLING to play with an edge , snarly as each game has moments when you need a good size teamattes to step up when emotions and rough play are happening. I actually can see how surprised teamattes - not just Crawford in that post game Winnipeg interview - get a lift out of seeing not just Seabrook play tough.

Now in the drive to the playoffs the team will get a lift, a sense of confidance, if a Kempny also has some nasty..

So I would like Ruuta in a less pressure role, a third pair guy, with Kempny or Murphy. The player not in the third pair vies with Oesterle for the second partner in the second pair. This omits Franson

Both Ruuta and Forsling may be somewhat fragile in tough playoff drive hockey. This means Osterle shouldctrade in occassionslly since it is not expected anyone will walk in and playbgreat after a Kempny type slumbar

By "breaking up" you really mean "trading for cap space", right?

I honestly prefer the second PP unit as well, they seem to control the puck better.
- DarthKane

I agree.

I like Kane on the right circle/half board. You need a right handed shot (a sniper/shooter) on the left circle/half board. Something like Panarin did the last 2 years. Sharp has done that in the past. It might get his offense going to.

1st unit - Sharp (left circle) Anisimov (in front of the net), Kane (right circle).
2nd unit - Debrincat (left circle), Saad (in front of the net), Toews (right circle).

Seabrook looks to be moving much better lately, but 2+7 need to be off PP1. I saw someone post a stat that the Hawks had scored ZERO goals on the PP this year with 2+7 at the point and I don't think that's changed yet. In a great road win, the PP was once again atrocious. That unit needs to improve or it will cost this team wins.

Kempny for a 3C would be a good move. No way he's gunna resign after getting pushed to 8th on Q's depth chart so trading him to improve a weakness area may not be a bad move. Though, having quality defense depth if another injury happens is a good thing.

Christmas wishlist:

1. Wayne Simmonds

2. Anthony Duclair

3. Derek Brassard

4. Keith and Seabs off the PP

Seabrook looks to be moving much better lately, but 2+7 need to be off PP1. I saw someone post a stat that the Hawks had scored ZERO goals on the PP this year with 2+7 at the point and I don't think that's changed yet. In a great road win, the PP was once again atrocious. That unit needs to improve or it will cost this team wins.

Kempny for a 3C would be a good move. No way he's gunna resign after getting pushed to 8th on Q's depth chart so trading him to improve a weakness area may not be a bad move. Though, having quality defense depth if another injury happens is a good thing.
- EnzoD

Kempny alone won't get the Hawks a 3C, Stan will have to include more.

This game against Winnipeg was another example of what Schmaltz can do when he is on his game. When he is attacking with speed over the blueline he is making things happen. If this kid can get some more consistency in his game, the Hawks are way more dangerous.

On another note, who had Vegas holding down a top 5 spot in the NHL more than 1/3 of the way into the season?

(edit: this isn't directed at you personally, 67)

I have no issue trading Kempny. He's a decent bottom 6 defenseman, but it's not like the Hawks are going to build around him going forward. Plus, as you said he's a UFA at the end of the season and likely won't want to re-sign.

A couple days ago people were shipping Kempny off to Ottawa, now after one decent game he's a guy to hold onto?

If Kempny has some trade value I would certainly be open to dealing him if the return was right.
- DarthKane

The other part of the equation is what is in the pipeline at D? Expiring contract, do they keep him or not?

To be fair, when people were calling for him to be traded, he wasn't even getting played ahead of Franson, and he has an expiring contract. Not to mention, there wasn't much thinking about April given how the team was playing, so with a seller's mentality, take the draft pick(s) offered.

It's funny, I was telling my wife before the game that it would be 5-1. I just got the winner and loser of the game wrong.

Seabrook looks to be moving much better lately, but 2+7 need to be off PP1. I saw someone post a stat that the Hawks had scored ZERO goals on the PP this year with 2+7 at the point and I don't think that's changed yet. In a great road win, the PP was once again atrocious. That unit needs to improve or it will cost this team wins.

Kempny for a 3C would be a good move. No way he's gunna resign after getting pushed to 8th on Q's depth chart so trading him to improve a weakness area may not be a bad move. Though, having quality defense depth if another injury happens is a good thing.
- EnzoD

UUUUU, ya, maybe. I like the concept. But if he's slow on the uptake at a position he's familiar with then I wouldn't hold my breath. Plus I don't think Q is that creative. Nor would I think Kempney would want to re-sign as you said. Last I heard selling high was a good thing and he put on a good show as trade bait last night.