I noticed after the Ottawa game that Q said they have been looking for that kind of production on the PP all season and I was thinking "All season, hell, don't you mean that past 3 or 4 seasons. The PP sucking every year is like a right of passage for this team. At some point, I expect them to drop to last in the league in the PP standings - they were pretty close to it before the Ottawa game - which is simply inexcusable for a team with the amount of offensive talent they have. The fact that Q continually runs Keith out on the PP, is just direct evidence that he has no idea on what a good PP should look like.
- RetiredGoalie

I bet it goes deeper than just Q influence. The players are guilty of some things too. Certain players particularly. I am going to really enjoy hearing or deciphering this pp atrocities at some point in time after Q departs the friendly confines of his home the past 10 seasons.

again ...earlier stated before the game...i hate that down low toews stuff play...they have been doing it for years and it rarely converts; i get it looking for a scrum or rebound goal...but its to damn predictable...hell the defenders are giving that play to him...

noticed kane dangling on the half boards and the other 4 hawks are red statues...no movement...who the (frank) is in charge of this poop..yeah they got 4 last night...but then its back to abby normal tonight

keith off the pp NOW....he is a mess
- bogiedoc

Imagine his golfing after witnessing the Keith slapshot over the years. There would be witnesses swearing affadavit how someone sent a screaming tee shot to the wrong green and people did not have time to duck.

Murphy with a whopping 5 minutes tonight
- BetweenTheDots

Darn it Q. Lighten up

I think Q is playing Toews and Kane on a lot of double shift and DCat getting very little time... Will the wonder boys have anything left in the tank in the last 8minutes of this game.
- spanky

Toews and Keith are supposed to ride to the rescue like Batman and Robin. Well the Bulls had Batman, Robin and Rodman. But the Blackhawks no longer have a Batman [Toews], Keith never was the complete accompaniment despite a Norris or two, and there is no equivalent for Rodman. Heck, Crawford was our Batman this season. And so let us extrapolate something from some of these players on the powerplay. Like Batman and Robin they are pretenders, not real Nhl powerplay examples of how to. Much more like how not to.

i don't think so...i think it was offisdes but their was no good view of it...either kane or the other hawk skater was blocked...

hell they got the goal and a 2 min pp and proceeded to barf that away...

a 2-3 goal first period seemed to be in the cards...but NO...
- bogiedoc

yeah, it just seemed like they lost their focus or energy or something. It was a relief that Seabs scored that goal, but then the delay.... and the delay.... and whatever momentum they had just kind of dissipated. The PP just made it worse.

Meanwhile down on the farm the Icehogs were playing in warm San Diego. The fringe benefits of not being traded, right Mr Franson. He was a +3. Sikura scored for like the fourth consecutive game, but only has nine tallies on the season. Collegiate free agent and not a serious prospect, Pelletier, racked up a Hattie. A nice 5-2 victory and off they go to more games in the land of burning fires and mudslides. Don't get too close to any homeless people out in San Diego seeking autographs less you get quarantined.

Somehow I conjure up a train pulling away with the team to make a stop in another small California city....I am thinking the Petticoat Junction. But along the way do they travel Ventura Highway (in the sunshine). Hey btw just heard there is going to be a concert with Steeley Dan and The Doobie Brothers.

Now for th most important question....what number will Duclair wear?

My guess is 25.

How to make the Playoffs
by Joel Queeneville

The coach plays his two most trusted dmen 25 + TOI but about 15;00 or less for his other five on The Blue line.

And Seabrook gets named third star of game. Yes, Marilyn, this really happened. I sure hope that Q wasn't worried some players parents were going to complain.

Now for th most important question....what number will Duclair wear?

My guess is 25.
- DarthKane

what is his hockey nickname?

what is his hockey nickname?
- matt_ahrens

Dukes?

How to make the Playoffs
by Joel Queeneville

The coach plays his two most trusted dmen 25 + TOI but about 15;00 or less for his other five on The Blue line.

And Seabrook gets named third star of game. Yes, Marilyn, this really happened. I sure hope that Q wasn't worried some players parents were going to complain.
- jhawk59

Regarding the Duclair/Panik trade.

I was never a big Panik fan. In retrospect, a 50% raise on a one year "do it again deal" would have been more appropriate. I could not picture him as a top 6 winger as some did in the presason. In the long run, I think we all saw in him what Babcock saw.

Rumor mill on Duclair is that he has attitude problems but, nothing specific that I've read. Yotes GM in his presser was being coy implying there is more to the story then on-ice performance.

All in all, one under-performer traded for another. Maybe a change of scenery sparks both players.

Regarding the Duclair/Panik trade.

I was never a big Panik fan. In retrospect, a 50% raise on a one year "do it again deal" would have been more appropriate. I could not picture him as a top 6 winger as some did in the presason. In the long run, I think we all saw in him what Babcock saw.

Rumor mill on Duclair is that he has attitude problems but, nothing specific that I've read. Yotes GM in his presser was being coy implying there is more to the story then on-ice performance.

All in all, one under-performer traded for another. Maybe a change of scenery sparks both players.
- Rota's Rooter

Panik should have never been given that contract in the first place. But lo and behold Stan found someone dumber than him to take that deal. Duclair less cap hit and can be let go after this season. So he rebounds with that move. As far as clearing more cap space - there's no way this team should be a buyer at the TDL. They're not making the playoffs. There's no way this team stacks up against Vegas, St. Louis or Nashville. And their divisional record is bad as well. The Peg coming in Friday...

what is his hockey nickname?
- matt_ahrens

eclair?

Panik should have never been given that contract in the first place. But lo and behold Stan found someone dumber than him to take that deal. Duclair less cap hit and can be let go after this season. So he rebounds with that move. As far as clearing more cap space - there's no way this team should be a buyer at the TDL. They're not making the playoffs. There's no way this team stacks up against Vegas, St. Louis or Nashville. And their divisional record is bad as well. The Peg coming in Friday...
- DK002

AZ is in a unique situation to take on Panik. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, if he gets hot between now and the TDL, they can flip him again. It might be easier for them to move him, because they can offer to retain salary. For AZ, all it cost was an expiring contract that they couldn't wait to be done with. I don't know what other offers they had for Duclair. Probably nothing exciting if they made this deal. And potentially, they can get some kind of package if Panik catches an uptick before his contract expires. The other feature with Panik is that he helps keep the Yotes above the salary floor, particularly if they are going to make some TDL moves and he doesn't get moved.

once they scored the second goal Minn stacked the blue line and then would just dump it every time they got possession. I fully agree that skating it in is the way to go but if they are stacking the blue line 4 across that is not going to work so get a head of steam and dump it in. They really got off there game the last 20-30 mins. Hart needs to actually hit the net from 5 feet and Cat had a 20 footer on a 2 on 1 and passed right into a guy that layed down on the ice. a 60 goal sniper should shot the puck and who ever it was he tried to pass to should look for a rebound.

OTT we shot the hell out of the puck and how many of our goals were either bad goals or off rebounds. 6 of the 8? keep shooting the puck and good things happen. Its a historical fact!!!

I'm find with Duke or Duch trade. I watched some highlights and that is what AX called him. this move gives us some flexibility this year and next. Rutta and Kemp are both FA's. Duclair and hart are RFA. Need to get AA back so we get more net presence.

I hate playing 7 D men, it throws off the offense and Defense. Should have played Jurco. Also can you tell me what the rule is on a player the has cleared waivers once if he comes back up (jurco) can you send him back down without waivers if he has played less then? (10 games) or something.

SAAD-T-VIN
Duc-AA-Kane
Sharp/Hart-SCH-CAt
Sharp/Hart-Kampf-wingels

Toews is playing himself into form. Needs to cease with the whining over the new Faceoff reality.
Funny - every time he was tossed on the Power Play FOff Sharp Came in on won every draw.
Just saying.

Doews Duckair slot in with Kane and Smaltz?

Last night was a goalie loss, plain and simple. I was amazed at the shot differential (including blocks, the differential was 62-37). Hawks laid down the rubber. Forsberg let in 1 1/2 softies, at least.

Panik should have never been given that contract in the first place. But lo and behold Stan found someone dumber than him to take that deal. Duclair less cap hit and can be let go after this season. So he rebounds with that move. As far as clearing more cap space - there's no way this team should be a buyer at the TDL. They're not making the playoffs. There's no way this team stacks up against Vegas, St. Louis or Nashville. And their divisional record is bad as well. The Peg coming in Friday...
- DK002

Agreed, my thoughts are similar about making the playoffs - not likely to happen.

So, they could be TDL sellers - Franson, Kempny, Clendening, Bouma, Jurco, Wingels, Berube could help re-stock the lower-middle round draft choice shelf.

Anisimov, Murphy or Hayden might also be in the mix to go elsewhere.

Interesting decisions to be made.

Panik should have never been given that contract in the first place. But lo and behold Stan found someone dumber than him to take that deal. Duclair less cap hit and can be let go after this season. So he rebounds with that move. As far as clearing more cap space - there's no way this team should be a buyer at the TDL. They're not making the playoffs. There's no way this team stacks up against Vegas, St. Louis or Nashville. And their divisional record is bad as well. The Peg coming in Friday...
- DK002

Hey, what do you know, we agree for once. Just read something that the Hawks went from having 4 players under the age of 25 last year to 13 this year. Younger and faster is what they are saying and seem to be doing with the move yesterday among others.

Still hoping they get into the playoffs hit their gear and make some noise but missing them entirely and re-evaluating in the off season wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Living in the Detroit area I had become accustomed to the Wings making the playoffs (til last season) and all their talk about the record of playoff appearances. At some point who cares when there's no real hope of making it even past the first round. Not saying that's the Hawks this year but if it is so be it.

what is his hockey nickname?
- matt_ahrens

ducsey, clairzy...q luves those -y endings

Agreed, my thoughts are similar about making the playoffs - not likely to happen.

So, they could be TDL sellers - Franson, Kempny, Clendening, Bouma, Jurco, Wingels, Berube could help re-stock the lower-middle round draft choice shelf.

Anisimov, Murphy or Hayden might also be in the mix to go elsewhere.

Interesting decisions to be made.
- RickJ

Not that Hayden is untouchable but he's a guy I'd like to see stay.

Not that Hayden is untouchable but he's a guy I'd like to see stay.
- HawkintheD

I like him too and doubt they will trade him, he's probably the successor to Wingels or Bouma in a lower line role.

But with the massive emphasis on speed, that's one area he falls a little short. But his size matters, he can be very effective when its used.

Panik should have never been given that contract in the first place. But lo and behold Stan found someone dumber than him to take that deal. Duclair less cap hit and can be let go after this season. So he rebounds with that move. As far as clearing more cap space - there's no way this team should be a buyer at the TDL. They're not making the playoffs. There's no way this team stacks up against Vegas, St. Louis or Nashville. And their divisional record is bad as well. The Peg coming in Friday...
- DK002

against the kings, vegas and their divisional opps they are 4-11-2: 2 wins vs the wild, ot winner vs the preds and nice regulation win vs the jets; 3 regulation wins in 17 games...

let us continue vs the kings, knights, blues, aves, stars, preds = 11 games they have had the lead a grand total of 8 minutes...in over 660 minutes of hockey...

you can't beat the teams in front of you...let alone get a lead...

now you all just watch...the hawks will pull another good performance out their ass and then crap the bed vs the wings...

the story of this year...