John Jaeckel: The Thin Blue Line

Not sure if this has been discussed on this board, haven't been on in a while, thoughts?

http://www.secondcityhock...s-playing-time-stats-2017

Quotes that stood out:
“I want to help the team and I want to win. If I get to play, I don’t care where I’m playing.

“Of course, the more minutes, the better, but there is really no big deal. I can’t be going around demanding such things. You have to earn what you get.”

Not sure if this has been discussed on this board, haven't been on in a while, thoughts?

http://www.secondcityhock...s-playing-time-stats-2017

Quotes that stood out:
“I want to help the team and I want to win. If I get to play, I don’t care where I’m playing.

“Of course, the more minutes, the better, but there is really no big deal. I can’t be going around demanding such things. You have to earn what you get.”
- HawksHype

There might be something there for next season. I didn't know he was primarily a RW. I thought he was a center.

It's easy to go off the deep end after a collapse like last night but the fact remains the holes and warts on this team are still there and still rare their ugly head at least once a game which ends up hurting this team on the scoreboard.

-Toews/Keith: I agree with John. Both still look hurt to me and while the beat writers can mention all about Toews flying around, he rarely gets dominated at the dot and I'm not buying he's not dealing with a moderate injury either in his hand/arm/shoulder or back.

Keith looks exhausted at times and timid. That 1st goal against he gave a half @ss mens league back check as the guy split him and Hammer. His explosiveness is gone and maybe Keith needs to adapt his game to what his body WILL allow instead of what it USED to allow?

-Overall, it's the same thing. This team has zero margin for error and when they take their foot off the pedal they pay for it. Lightning ramped up their game and dominated the hawks for 20 minutes in the final frame. Game. Set. Match.

How Bowman fixes this with a front office NOT willing to trade draft picks because they want to make a dog/pony spectacle out of the draft being in Chicago is beyond me. What prospect down below is so highly coveted you can land a band aid to play LW with 19? Or a defensemen not in the Kimmo class to patch up a leaky defense?

Point is 2, 4, 7, 51 all at times look taxed and 57/6 have more god awful shifts then probably do good ones but yet 6 is only punished by the coaching staff and 57 is routinely put out there to pour more gasoline on the dumpster fire.

Reality is they COULD come out of the west IF 19,2,50 find their games, and the defense plays more consistent, and they figure out the right mix on the 3 other lines besides 72/15/88. Lot to ask for.

Lastly, I said a few blogs back it would probably BEHOOVE the coaching staff to look in to resting 2/4/7/19/81 the rest of the way when they can. You are still in firm position to make the dance, but you may want to sacrifice a few battles, to have a better chance to win the war in the spring.........

Solid read as always John...

Sure the Hawks continue to bank points,

I will submit that this is a better Tampa team than where they are in the standings and looked fast and dangerous last night.

Agree on Crawford - points are more important this season as I think home ice will be for the Hawks come playoffs. So how long can you let him play himself back before giving Darling some more time. I thought Craw stopped several high quality chances early eventually they got to him.

Defense hasn't been as strong as I'd hoped and you have to wonder about Keith's injury and where he's at along with Toews.

Another tough one tomorrow night against the Jets who have had the Hawks number for a while now.

How Bowman fixes this with a front office NOT willing to trade draft picks because they want to make a dog/pony spectacle out of the draft being in Chicago is beyond me. What prospect down below is so highly coveted you can land a band aid to play LW with 19? Or a defensemen not in the Kimmo class to patch up a leaky defense?

- SteveRain

I know the front office isn't willing to deal draft picks this year, but is that only the 1st rounder they want to hold onto? Or do they want to keep all of them?

Meaning, would they package a 2017 2nd rounder and maybe the 2018 1st rounder? Saves the first pick this year but is still good value.

Not sure if this has been discussed on this board, haven't been on in a while, thoughts?

http://www.secondcityhock...s-playing-time-stats-2017

Quotes that stood out:
“I want to help the team and I want to win. If I get to play, I don’t care where I’m playing.

“Of course, the more minutes, the better, but there is really no big deal. I can’t be going around demanding such things. You have to earn what you get.”
- HawksHype

Thank You for the info...... don't know anything about this guy other than what you just provided for us. Looks like a snipe from the right side, left handed shot.
Possible 1RW for Toews next year...... but we still need that 1LW this year and a possible Dman....... along with clearing space for next year.

Stan has his hands full, just hope that he doesn't wait too long like he's done in the past. He's caught between the rock and a hard place. If management feels that this CORE can win another CUP this year, then they'll attempt to add the veteran winger ( Vanek, Sharp, etc). If they feel that this team will not win a CUP this year, then it behooves them to move a couple big salaries NOW when their values are at their highests. (That's my hope) The list should include
Crawford, Kruger, and Seabrook.......that's about 15 Million in cap space. Yet the biggest return would be for Duncan Keith, who is on a fantastic team friendly deal. Question is.......... will his value remain this high next year and on ??
Is it his age, the knee injury, or just him taking it easier until playoff time ???
What will management do ?

I remember when Corey was outstanding couple years ago, then he went to a concert and hurt himself and never was quite as good until the following season? I believe we won a SC that year, but he was just never as sharp as he was that season, still won a SC?

I for one would give CC some more time off, think he came back to early to be in the outdoor game, Darling was outstanding in his absence and believe he will continue to be, he did have a shut out to beat the Bruins.

It's easy to go off the deep end after a collapse like last night but the fact remains the holes and warts on this team are still there and still rare their ugly head at least once a game which ends up hurting this team on the scoreboard.

-Toews/Keith: I agree with John. Both still look hurt to me and while the beat writers can mention all about Toews flying around, he rarely gets dominated at the dot and I'm not buying he's not dealing with a moderate injury either in his hand/arm/shoulder or back.

Keith looks exhausted at times and timid. That 1st goal against he gave a half @ss mens league back check as the guy split him and Hammer. His explosiveness is gone and maybe Keith needs to adapt his game to what his body WILL allow instead of what it USED to allow?

-Overall, it's the same thing. This team has zero margin for error and when they take their foot off the pedal they pay for it. Lightning ramped up their game and dominated the hawks for 20 minutes in the final frame. Game. Set. Match.

How Bowman fixes this with a front office NOT willing to trade draft picks because they want to make a dog/pony spectacle out of the draft being in Chicago is beyond me. What prospect down below is so highly coveted you can land a band aid to play LW with 19? Or a defensemen not in the Kimmo class to patch up a leaky defense?

Point is 2, 4, 7, 51 all at times look taxed and 57/6 have more god awful shifts then probably do good ones but yet 6 is only punished by the coaching staff and 57 is routinely put out there to pour more gasoline on the dumpster fire.

Reality is they COULD come out of the west IF 19,2,50 find their games, and the defense plays more consistent, and they figure out the right mix on the 3 other lines besides 72/15/88. Lot to ask for.

Lastly, I said a few blogs back it would probably BEHOOVE the coaching staff to look in to resting 2/4/7/19/81 the rest of the way when they can. You are still in firm position to make the dance, but you may want to sacrifice a few battles, to have a better chance to win the war in the spring.........
- SteveRain

Spot on, Steve. His goal notwithstanding (and it was a nice shot), Keith was horrendous last night. Since he's the engine that drives the Hawks, his extended stretch of poor play is of real concern.

I thought 50 had two good periods, but was extremely mediocre in the third last night.

I'm of the "don't get too high when they win, and don't get too low when they lose" school, but last night's third period was sort of a microcosm of all the problems that will plague them in the playoffs. Not encouraging ....

So now that 19 has had a couple good games is he still injured? I love using injuries as an excuse for poor play....

Really no reason to get to far out over your skis on this one game . Schmaltz hits a post and 30 seconds later your down 2 goals . Nas gave up a lead lost in OT to Buff ST.L SO Pitt Ott SO Washington. This league because of the cap is build on Parity Crow is in a small slump after his injury ,but he will find his game . Better now then at the end of the season . I would give Darling a few more starts here and there . Toews is doing what most of Us new he would, picking up his game Point wise .That seems to be very important to some people . .And this team as a whole has show it can dominate other teams when everyone is ready to play ,and come crunch time you know they will be
I expect some on here will be angry ,but I don't expect this team to do very much or anything at the deadline .Much like they did in the summer .

I know that on Boyle's goal Keith was turning Boyle checked him and he fell to the ice, still don't understand what Nik was doing on that play besides watching.

The blue line has its biggest issues when they hold on to the puck to long, they all think they're Patrick Kane, I wish they would go back to the very simple game plan like they had vs Nashville any kind of pressure get the puck in deep, make the forwards work, but unfortunately this team doesn't know how to keep things simple which is evidence of their horrendous power play, everyone and their mother knows they are trying to set Panarin or Seabrook up.

And really is it that hard to figure out who to take when two forwards criss cross in the offensive zone, I thought I was watching defenseman who never played defense before.

I hope nobody is on the ledge, because the team is still mostly going through the motions here in January. Won 7 of their last 10 and 3 of their last 4. That is what matters at this point.

In a year where they went the with much feared "youth movement" that had many around here shaking in their boots, they are still chugging along and building experience for the young guys. Sure, the team hasn't brought much intensity vs some of the Eastern teams, but I don't see any reason they couldn't beat any team in the west in 7 games. They could lose too, but I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about it.

One thing that has been slowing them down lately are the special teams. Not a strong PP lately and not many opportunities. Sure 5 on 5 is important but when other teams are cashing in PP goals more you, the team is gonna lag behind offensively.

Kane/Toews have been on the upswing but Breadman slowed down. If the season ended today, Panarin wouldn't hit the larger part of his bonuses. Not that he is far off, but it could be fine line between having to pay him 1.725 mil or not. It will be interesting to watch.

I hope nobody is on the ledge, because the team is still mostly going through the motions here in January. Won 7 of their last 10 and 3 of their last 4. That is what matters at this point.

In a year where they went the with much feared "youth movement" that had many around here shaking in their boots, they are still chugging along and building experience for the young guys. Sure, the team hasn't brought much intensity vs some of the Eastern teams, but I don't see any reason they couldn't beat any team in the west in 7 games. They could lose too, but I wouldn't get too bent out of shape about it.

One thing that has been slowing them down lately are the special teams. Not a strong PP lately and not many opportunities. Sure 5 on 5 is important but when other teams are cashing in PP goals more you, the team is gonna lag behind offensively.

Kane/Toews have been on the upswing but Breadman slowed down. If the season ended today, Panarin wouldn't hit the larger part of his bonuses. Not that he is far off, but it could be fine line between having to pay him 1.725 mil or not. It will be interesting to watch.
- breadbag

PP early on seemed pretty inclined to shoot more than looking for the highlight reel. That was a small positive.

I don't understand Eck's rumor chart connecting Hawks to so many goalies. That would mean trading Crawford, and I'm just not seeing anyone who takes him right now.

Eck's rumor chart
- hockey nut 28

Pretty sure he just bases it off what has been wrong for teams lately. Crow hasn't been great so he throws a ton of rumors about goalies. It's never right.

I don't understand Eck's rumor chart connecting Hawks to so many goalies. That would mean trading Crawford, and I'm just not seeing anyone who takes him right now.
- hockey nut 28

I know the front office isn't willing to deal draft picks this year, but is that only the 1st rounder they want to hold onto? Or do they want to keep all of them?

Meaning, would they package a 2017 2nd rounder and maybe the 2018 1st rounder? Saves the first pick this year but is still good value.
- CanOCorn

Everything I have read says they want to hold on to the 1st, few rounds.

Now obviously if he starts talks to deal a 50 or 16 post season before the draft, maybe he can reacquire some picks he deals at the deadline.

So basically if he deals a 2nd or 3rd, that tells me he has a deal in place to get those back after the season via a salary "dump" trade. Remember they got back the 3rd round pick from Carolina for Teuvo and Bickell.

So now that 19 has had a couple good games is he still injured? I love using injuries as an excuse for poor play....
- EnzoD

I know what you are getting at, and to an extent I agree.

if a guy is healthy enough to be out there he should produce. I just cant' believe 2/19 are right given how bad they have looked a LOT this season.

I still think Q has to sit some of these max minute guys this last half of the season when he can to ensure they are as close to 100% as they can be come playoff time.

IN my world a playoff game means a helluva lot more then a February game in Arizona in regards to importance of wining and guys minutes.

yes most of these guys are young, but even the "short summer" many of them still played in the bs world cup vs others in training camp with a lot easier minutes on the ice.

It's easy to go off the deep end after a collapse like last night but the fact remains the holes and warts on this team are still there and still rare their ugly head at least once a game which ends up hurting this team on the scoreboard.

-Toews/Keith: I agree with John. Both still look hurt to me and while the beat writers can mention all about Toews flying around, he rarely gets dominated at the dot and I'm not buying he's not dealing with a moderate injury either in his hand/arm/shoulder or back.

Keith looks exhausted at times and timid. That 1st goal against he gave a half @ss mens league back check as the guy split him and Hammer. His explosiveness is gone and maybe Keith needs to adapt his game to what his body WILL allow instead of what it USED to allow?

-Overall, it's the same thing. This team has zero margin for error and when they take their foot off the pedal they pay for it. Lightning ramped up their game and dominated the hawks for 20 minutes in the final frame. Game. Set. Match.

How Bowman fixes this with a front office NOT willing to trade draft picks because they want to make a dog/pony spectacle out of the draft being in Chicago is beyond me. What prospect down below is so highly coveted you can land a band aid to play LW with 19? Or a defensemen not in the Kimmo class to patch up a leaky defense?

Point is 2, 4, 7, 51 all at times look taxed and 57/6 have more god awful shifts then probably do good ones but yet 6 is only punished by the coaching staff and 57 is routinely put out there to pour more gasoline on the dumpster fire.

Reality is they COULD come out of the west IF 19,2,50 find their games, and the defense plays more consistent, and they figure out the right mix on the 3 other lines besides 72/15/88. Lot to ask for.

Lastly, I said a few blogs back it would probably BEHOOVE the coaching staff to look in to resting 2/4/7/19/81 the rest of the way when they can. You are still in firm position to make the dance, but you may want to sacrifice a few battles, to have a better chance to win the war in the spring.........
- SteveRain

Happens to us all sooner or later no matter what. Great line. Somehow I see Keith being a little stubborn though.

Spot on, Steve. His goal notwithstanding (and it was a nice shot), Keith was horrendous last night. Since he's the engine that drives the Hawks, his extended stretch of poor play is of real concern.

I thought 50 had two good periods, but was extremely mediocre in the third last night.

I'm of the "don't get too high when they win, and don't get too low when they lose" school, but last night's third period was sort of a microcosm of all the problems that will plague them in the playoffs. Not encouraging ....
- Hank_Greenberg

Thanks hank and I am with you......I think they can get out of the west but they need a lot to go right/get right for that to happen. They are in the conversation but if they bowed out in round 1 it wouldn't surprise me either. They have some flaws that they can't get right and that really comes down to the personnel more then anything.

And here's the other thing....for all those in the blog, twitter world of trading Seabrook because his deal is inflated, he's old, he's got some injuries, then what is Keith? Keith has a LOT of minutes taxed on him, has at least 1 bad knee that has clearly affected his ability to perform at a higher level this season, and still isn't your best PURE defender on this team.

I think trading either 2 or 7 or 4 is moronic, but for everyone jettisoning 7 off the island, tell me who the hell sucks up those minutes because it sure as hell isn't 6 or 57. 6 at least is new to the league.....57 is bottom pairing d men in the nhl for his ceiling. Anyone assuming more is clearly not watching him close enough.

Happens to us all sooner or later no matter what. Great line. Somehow I see Keith being a little stubborn though.
- 6628[/quote
Ha, ha

Thanks 6628. Happens to me with each league we move up in my mens league and face more and more younger kids.

Hope all is well miss seeing you.

Thank You for the info...... don't know anything about this guy other than what you just provided for us. Looks like a snipe from the right side, left handed shot.
Possible 1RW for Toews next year...... but we still need that 1LW this year and a possible Dman....... along with clearing space for next year.

Stan has his hands full, just hope that he doesn't wait too long like he's done in the past. He's caught between the rock and a hard place. If management feels that this CORE can win another CUP this year, then they'll attempt to add the veteran winger ( Vanek, Sharp, etc). If they feel that this team will not win a CUP this year, then it behooves them to move a couple big salaries NOW when their values are at their highests. (That's my hope) The list should include
Crawford, Kruger, and Seabrook.......that's about 15 Million in cap space. Yet the biggest return would be for Duncan Keith, who is on a fantastic team friendly deal. Question is.......... will his value remain this high next year and on ??
Is it his age, the knee injury, or just him taking it easier until playoff time ???
What will management do ?
- Hawkytalk

You are playing fantasy league hockey again - what team in the NHL has cap space to take on big salaries without giving one back in a player the Hawks don't want anyway?

Go ahead and trade Keith, watch what they get back for him - it won't be anything that makes you happy. Think Shattenkirk is better - there's an option that the Blues would jump on real quick.

Sometimes the opponent merits a thumbs up - the Lightning took it to them in the 3rd period and their goaltender was great. And Pittsburgh and Washington looked half asleep last night too. I don't think they woke up this morning looking to trade Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Holtby and Backstrom.

Bunch a spoiled brats. Look at the blues with your great expectations. You all wrote this team off at the beginning of the year because of the rookie infusion. Well, I think they've done better than expected. This is the nhl. No one wins them all. You need to bring it shift to shift or you get beat. If the front office stands pat until next year, that's fine with me. I trust they'll do their best to build a winner. Their jobs depend on it. They're not worried about their next blog post. (Not you j.j. us. Posters.)

Hocks won cups in 2010, 13 and 15. Their opponents in each final are nowhere to be found.

Any given night any team can be beat in this league.

GO HOCKS

Bunch a spoiled brats. Look at the blues with your great expectations. You all wrote this team off at the beginning of the year because of the rookie infusion. Well, I think they've done better than expected. This is the nhl. No one wins them all. You need to bring it shift to shift or you get beat. If the front office stands pat until next year, that's fine with me. I trust they'll do their best to build a winner. Their jobs depend on it. They're not worried about their next blog post. (Not you j.j. us. Posters.)

Hocks won cups in 2010, 13 and 15. Their opponents in each final are nowhere to be found.

Any given night any team can be beat in this league.

GO HOCKS
- hocktock

Well if your mantra is "One Goal" and that "One Goal" is to win the Stanley Cup then isn't it a little contradictory to openly state you may stand pat at the deadline due to cap space but more important you dont' see yourself trading draft picks because you have accumulated a bunch and are intent on making a splash since you are hosting? Those aren't my words, those are from Stanley Bowman in a November interview with LeBrun.

This is a inconsistent team. That's the problem. They play well in spurts but can they put it together for 60 minutes given their personnel come playoff time? having doubts about that are legitimate.

And each year that passes salaries get higher, cap constraints are more realistic and your core has another year on its plate so your window slowly gets smaller.