John Jaeckel: What's not to like?

First

Second

Thirrrrrrrdddddd


Come on JJ , throw up the % s again ,

Observations:
- Darling is making his case that he could be a #1 next year. Crawford has to be feeling some pressure and could well be the odd man out this summer.
- I would like to see Kero center Hossa and Hartman. The 4th line would then be Kruger, Rasmussen, Hino/Desjardins/Tootoo. It would be a good test to see if Kero is a suitable replacement for Kruger.
- If Desjardins / Tootoo get you a 7th round pick before the TDL you have to take it. You might keep one for the playoffs. But both of them is redundant.
- Would Kruger, Forsling, a 2nd round pick in 2017 and a 1st round pick in 2018 get you Duchene (and maybe another marginal player that you could expose in the expansion draft)? Could you recover either that 2nd round pick in 2017 or the 1st round pick in 2018 by trading Crawford this summer?

Great post JJ. Panik has been the beneficiary of Toew's hard work for sure, but give him credit for going to the net consistently and finishing in tight space. Actually I like the chemistry with Schmaltz more, he has helped that line with zone entries a lot. His half wall game is coming along as he gains confidence. I don't think he's your 1LW in game 1 of the playoffs but he's shown he's got top 6 level game recognition.

JJ. Very nice read. And you are right, the last couple of games have shown some great underlying numbers....and the eye-test says Toews is returning to form and the 4 lines are starting to really gel.

I also agree, this alone does not mean Stan stands pat. It does not mean we are good enough to win it all.

What it DOES mean, in my opinion, is that Stan can feel a little better about standing his ground when negotiating. Moreso, than say bergevin in Montreal....who is under the gun to get SOMETHING done before the whole Hab world collapses upon him. Stan can look at all his trade chips....and they are many, and varied in trading weight. He has Hartman and DeBrincat and a couple more that are HIGHLY sought by other teams. The way the Hawks are playing now he CAN decide to hold whoever he wants and make a package of prospects HE choices to deal....may include the Hartman or DeBrincat....but he MAY decide Hawks are in decent shape and take them totally off the table and just see what a package of 3-4 of his OTHER prospects can get us.

Point is, we have more leverage to pick and choice the young guys we may want to move in order to bolster the lineup when we are playing like this. And for what the Avs are suppose to be asking for Duchene....I would not bite. Let the price come down, or let him go elsewhere. I don't want Vanek....but Palat, Tatar, Boyle, Eaves and several others are OK adds that we can probably get and still retain the bulk of our good looking prospects. And hey, if we got vanek for squat...guess I could live with that too.

Anyway....we will all know in another 7-10 days.

Go Hawks!!

JJ - nicely put. Pretty much sums up what I've been thinking lately too. Especially this:

This may be what some fans want to believe—and what the Hawks themselves would like the rest of the league's GMs to think (to buttress their bargaining position) leading up to the trade deadline.

Especially when the Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine writes an article about how the Hawks are doing so well maybe they'll stand pat at the deadline. No way they don't at least tweak. Stan Bowman has NEVER stood pat - for all of the reasons you outlined. The Hawks are in win now mode. As a fan I like that and have reaped the benefits (and disappointments - 2016 playoffs) of that strategy.

All good observation
Teams don't want Kruger at 3 million....would you?

Similar trade structure with Hartman may get it done

All good observation
Teams don't want Kruger at 3 million....would you?

Similar trade structure with Hartman may get it done
- Colbyboy

Did you happen to notice Edmonton's checking center when he lost Panik on the goal Saturday night? RN Hopkins - earning $6M/season. Now there's a player Chiarelli would like to dump before he has to 'negotiate' that $12M/season McDavid is going to get and Draisaitl's $6 or $7M to come

Every team has a contract or 2 they would like to dump. Kruger's turn may be in the summer, don't see it happening before that. Depth down the middle at playoff time is a necessity.

Palat-Toews-Hossa

And here's hoping Hartman is still in hawk in 10 days


EDIT: just to add for a 3rd line: Hartman-Hanzal-Panik

Many posters on our site are highly critical of our Hawks. Even after two periods yesterday the Doom predictors were still aplenty.

So, how does our opponents blogger see it????.....


Pachla, from the Sabre blog.....

"Chicago also has pure talent in their core but unlike the Sabres, they're deep and have good talent up and down the lineup."

"In the end, the Hawks looked like a three-time Stanley Cup Champion as they were rested and hitting on all cylinders."



I know....never as bad as it seems, never as good as it seems...but heck. looking kinda good right now!

Did you happen to notice Edmonton's checking center when he lost Panik on the goal Saturday night? RN Hopkins - earning $6M/season. Now there's a player Chiarelli would like to dump before he has to 'negotiate' that $12M/season McDavid is going to get and Draisaitl's $6 or $7M to come

Every team has a contract or 2 they would like to dump. Kruger's turn may be in the summer, don't see it happening before that. Depth down the middle at playoff time is a necessity.
- RickJ

100% agreed. Look at every team in every sport, there is not one team that has every player signed to the perfect cap it beynod there entry level contract. It is a tough job for GM's. Stan didnt know who Panarin was when he signed Kruger to that deal. Hard to stomach but it's the reality of sports!

Many posters on our site are highly critical of our Hawks. Even after two periods yesterday the Doom predictors were still aplenty.

So, how does our opponents blogger see it????.....


Pachla, from the Sabre blog.....

"Chicago also has pure talent in their core but unlike the Sabres, they're deep and have good talent up and down the lineup."

"In the end, the Hawks looked like a three-time Stanley Cup Champion as they were rested and hitting on all cylinders."



I know....never as bad as it seems, never as good as it seems...but heck. looking kinda good right now!
- hawk35

It is as good as it seems. This is the golden era of Blackhawks hockey , it will.never ever ever again be this good in our lives. Stan Bowman and the entire Hawks front office are really really really good at their jobs. Lets just see what the roster looks like at 5pm on 1 March 17

Another good write up JJ , I'm thinking maybe the Hawks might be better off focusing on a centre with some offence ability to play with Hossa . Throw Hartman with them and you have three lines that can score. Leaving a fourth line Moose/Krug/Hinzo/Kero. I think the key this year should be rolling four lines. So I hope Hawks add some depth in case of injuries , don't want the Hawks to have to use Desi or Tootoo come playoff time(no offence ). Saying this I know things could change and the Toews line may need an upgrade Iif Schmaltz or Panic falter with offence in the next few weeks.

Did you happen to notice Edmonton's checking center when he lost Panik on the goal Saturday night? RN Hopkins - earning $6M/season. Now there's a player Chiarelli would like to dump before he has to 'negotiate' that $12M/season McDavid is going to get and Draisaitl's $6 or $7M to come

Every team has a contract or 2 they would like to dump. Kruger's turn may be in the summer, don't see it happening before that. Depth down the middle at playoff time is a necessity.
- RickJ

I agree
On Edmonton , the top teams can thank Kevin Lowe and company for signing and paying a group of over rated wimps before McDavid arrived.
RNH, Eberley and Yak.
Hall was a stud and to trade for DHelp he was moved.

Had they complimented McD they would now be a contender.

Problem now, is they will be drafting closer to 24th than 1st.

As you correctly point out Eberley and RNH aren't going anywhere at 6 million.

Nothing personal on Kruger but after seeing Rasmussen in person for three games he's my new favourite under a million dollar player.

Stan Bowman has NEVER stood pat
- marlowe

This is a good point. He has always made a move. Even if the move was just getting Handzus or just getting Rundblad, he has always made at least one.

it's amazing how continuity and maturity finally has this team trending in the right direction. still think if they get a player to play with Toews they will be hell in a seven game series. Hossa on the third line is a luxury and a mismatch nightmare for any opponent.

scott darling is also playing like a man with a whole lot to prove.

It is as good as it seems. This is the golden era of Blackhawks hockey , it will.never ever ever again be this good in our lives. Stan Bowman and the entire Hawks front office are really really really good at their jobs. Lets just see what the roster looks like at 5pm on 1 March 17

Exactly. I hope people that jumped on the bandwagon in the past 10 years realize that. Have to leverage Keith, Toews, and Kane as much as they can.

http://www.secondcityhock...tatistics-blackhawks-2017

Good write up on Kruger and what he brings.

I'm on record stating I would not hesitate to include Hartman in a package to acquire Duchene. Now I must admit that after the last 2 games a little hesitation has crept in. I would probably still do it because Duchene is by far the superior player, but i'm liking Hartman more and more.

Darling was outstanding in the 1st, especially during the 5 on 3, when the outcome was still in doubt.

I'm NOT saying he's better than CC yet.

He is bigger, quicker, more athletic & handles the puck better. And he's outplayed CC this season.

CC 22-13-3 2.56 .917 2 SO
Dar 14-5-2 2.19 .928 2 SO

Would not trade Hartman on any level unless we would be getting an impact player on a long term deal. The kid has a lot of upside and seems like the real deal.

My top 3 trade wants in my perfect, unrealistic world.

1) Martin Hanzal (Love the $3.1 per price, the depth it would provide, and the return may be very doable. 56.3% in the dot would be huge).
2) Bran Boyle (He's been in a number of long playoff runs dating back to his BC days. Would love Palat but thinking center depth is the move and $2M per prorated and minimal headed back to TBL would be key. May be able to make an additional move if Boyle is acquired. Another over 50% in the circle guy)
3) Matt Duchene (Hey, if you can pull it off, then do it. He's elite. Not thrilled at what will have to be moved to Denver but he's a real player. Still don't see this ever happening though).

Would not trade Hartman on any level unless we would be getting an impact player on a long term deal. The kid has a lot of upside and seems like the real deal.
- Hawkster

^This. Would only move if it was Duchene or a proven all-star.