John Jaeckel: Results speak volumes

First! Now back to reading the blog...

Great effort. Toews is back big time!!!

Hartman and Schmaltz are developing so much it would pain me to see either go. (along with Debrincat, I think his potential is too much to trade at this time)

But.....gather the rest of our prospects Stan, and see what we can get back for a little package of 2nd tier prospects and picks excluding 1st round this year. Defense help, 3rd line Center, another LW....2 of those 3 may do it.

I am sure Stan won't stay put, there will be a couple of mid to minor deals. But, unless REALLY outstanding, I think he isn't really considering a BIG Duchene type move now. Only if it falls in his lap for the right cost....and that is truly unlikely.

Chemistry means a lot. I would like to see us keep all the playing roster now and just add by parting with some of our lower prospects.

Go Hawks!!!

Great assessment of last night's game. How obnoxious was the line of Hartman/Hino/Kero? Nothing to show for the sweat and effort, but they had a lot of zone time and were relentless on the forecheck.

I think Kempny is really the wild card there. If he can give quality minutes in the playoffs with that heavy shot and solid first pass then good things.

Also, how bad of a coach is Boudreau. Toews almost always has issues with Kiovu and the two never saw each other and Kane still had 6 SOG.

Good sign that everyone was clicking. I still think they could use one more NHL veteran at forward but we will see.

The PAK line is really hampered by the fact that Anisimov gets abused at the dot every game. They aren't very strong defensively, so when they lose the draw in the defensive end, they chase the puck for 30 seconds. Would be nice to pick up a guy that is good at the dot that can basically center the third line and be the defensive zone faceoff man for the PAK line.

I really like the dynamic of the Toews line. He has his wingers clicking and Schmaltz can play his best game, which is creating space and setting people up for scoring chances. He put Toews second goal on a silver platter.

Three "left field" trade possibilities (have not heard any of their names recently, but Hawks have had fairly strong interest in two of them in the past):

Jeff Skinner CAR
Mike Cammaleri NJ
Val Filippula TB

I just know at this time of year we can get so zeroed in on certain guys and then the team will go out and acquire someone else out of nowhere who checks the same boxes.

I would still bet on Vanek, Eaves or Hanzal. But . . .

i was driving during the first period and XM had the Wild feed. My God, those announcers were horrible - especially the color guy, who kept trying to be the play-by-play guy. ugh.

Anyway, great last 40m from the boys. L4 was hounding the puck and the Captain's line may have solved all their own issues. Boyle for line 3 is the way to go, for Krugs.

#Blackhawks have six 15-plus goal scorers this season, and Ryan Hartman is one goal away from making it seven. They had only four last year.

I would not want to trade Kruger right now. Not at least for the playoffs coming up. Kruger's skill set is what you need to advance in deep into the playoffs. He completely shuts down the opposing teams top lines not to mention pissing them off in the process. After this season who knows

I think Kempny is really the wild card there. If he can give quality minutes in the playoffs with that heavy shot and solid first pass then good things.

Also, how bad of a coach is Boudreau. Toews almost always has issues with Kiovu and the two never saw each other and Kane still had 6 SOG.

Good sign that everyone was clicking. I still think they could use one more NHL veteran at forward but we will see.
- fattybeef

Agreed, and his mobility and quickness are a double edged sword—a lot like Oduya in 2012. He needs to learn how to use it and when. But Kempny does things athletically that Gustav Forsling can really only dream about (at this point anyway).

I would not want to trade Kruger right now. Not at least for the playoffs coming up. Kruger's skill set is what you need to advance in deep into the playoffs. He completely shuts down the opposing teams top lines not to mention pissing them off in the process. After this season who knows
- BGKarras

What if you got a Hanzal or a Filippula back? Obviously, Hawks would have to sweeten the pot to do it, but I would take that, as much as I like Kruger for what he does.

I say keep Kruger. Yes, he's a bit of a cap hit for his offence. However, at the dot, on the kill, and in general a kick-ass centre on defence, he allows Toews especially to put more of his time on the PP and 5-on-5. I am not sure there is a replacement in the system yet, who can adequately fill in, at playoff time. Plus Kruger has two championships under his belt.

I would not want to trade Kruger right now. Not at least for the playoffs coming up. Kruger's skill set is what you need to advance in deep into the playoffs. He completely shuts down the opposing teams top lines not to mention pissing them off in the process. After this season who knows
- BGKarras

100% Agree! His strong points do not show up in the boxscore, but he is needed to progress far in the playoffs.

Three "left field" trade possibilities (have not heard any of their names recently, but Hawks have had fairly strong interest in two of them in the past):

Jeff Skinner CAR
Mike Cammaleri NJ
Val Filippula TB

I just know at this time of year we can get so zeroed in on certain guys and then the team will go out and acquire someone else out of nowhere who checks the same boxes.

I would still bet on Vanek, Eaves or Hanzal. But . . .
- John Jaeckel

Interesting JJ. Of those three I like Skinner and Filippula. Not so hot on Cammaleri. Skinner would be my first choice.

With any of the 6 you mentioned (even the Vanek likelihood that I am not fond of) it really comes down to what we part with. It really must be quite the balancing act for Stan as he weighs the return against the cost!

Kruger stinks & Bowman screwed up again & way overpaid him. Get him out for a more skilled Center to play with Hossa. Kero is better & cheaper than Kruger.

Make up for your MISTAKE Bowman.

Ps anythought of moving Schmaltz and Hartman (FOR A RENTAL) should now be stopped.

No one is untouchable for the right price... but those 2 will make an impact this post-season... no reason to move them for a rental. They can be moved if you get a controllable asset (like Duchene... but they arent getting duchene, so its moot).
- gnosox1986

It's fun to think about the Hawks adding another all star caliber player, but I just think if you look at the whole puzzle it doesn't fit. Yes technically I know it can but how much does that mess with the lower line depth that's developing, depending on who from the Hawks is moved.

Like you said they're not getting Duchene but fitting another comparable big contract on this team for controllable assets that are filling in holes up and down the lineup doesn't make sense to me especially say if Hartman or Schmaltz and Kempny/Forsling + are going the other way.

I do however like the idea of adding a Boyle or Eaves type player depending on who they'd have to give up to give the team even more scoring punch.

Three "left field" trade possibilities (have not heard any of their names recently, but Hawks have had fairly strong interest in two of them in the past):

Jeff Skinner CAR
Mike Cammaleri NJ
Val Filippula TB

I just know at this time of year we can get so zeroed in on certain guys and then the team will go out and acquire someone else out of nowhere who checks the same boxes.

I would still bet on Vanek, Eaves or Hanzal. But . . .
- John Jaeckel

Filippula would be a real interesting add John...especially if you put him with Hossa...

So JJ, maybe the 1LW you've been advocating for Toews' line all year is already there, in the form of Schmaltz, who just needed experience and confidence to show his obvious skills. And maybe Panik is the RW that line needs for offensive production, not Hoss, great as he is, who can be effective with anyone, even Kruger, your over-priced favorite. Panic, in my mind, is everything we wanted Bicks to be, and then some, given his snarl.

As for me, I am starting to have inklings of parallels between this year's 'Hawks and last year's Pittsburgh squad where the young kids (with AHL experience*) are starting to realize they can play NHL caliber hockey. Can the 'Hawks also translate this to playoff success?

*Schmaltz does not have much AHL time, but he did play quite a while at N Dakota.

Also. It is worth noting.

(and I will note we shouldn't think TOOOOO hard about future years when we have a Cup shot THIS year.....still, worth noting...)

With the cap crunch, and Pararin's new contract starting next year. The bargains of having Hartman all next year at less than 1 million, and Schmaltz the next TWO years at less than 1 million, coupled with their steady improvement and the recent proof that they can stick with the big club....makes it more and more important that Stan watches what he does with these guys.

Having them to plug into our roster (and our pay structure) next year is VERY important, and needs to be considered. Unless the addition is MEGA good. I want them on next years roster!!! (With the chance of a cheap Debrincat as well, may make the shipping out of some of our core much easier to navigate.)

What if you got a Hanzal or a Filippula back? Obviously, Hawks would have to sweeten the pot to do it, but I would take that, as much as I like Kruger for what he does.
- John Jaeckel

You bring up a very good point JJ.
It's what you have to throw in to sweeten the pot that causes some concern.
Filippula is intriguing though. Now if it was for Palat and Kruger had to be in the deal I would do it In a heart beat.
Palat:

I too have slowly been coming around to the opinion that maybe there is a better "get" for the Hawks than a LW for Toews. Maybe. It's still a little scary because rookies are usually inconsistent and there are walls to hit, etc., so anointing Schmaltz the answer to the missing top-6 LW question is not without some hesitation, albeit diminishing hesitation.

Plus, if there is only one major deal to be made, which is most likely the case, perhaps the most pressing need is a centerman who can win draws in the d-zone on the PK. We can make excuses for some fluky goals scored against the PK lately but the reality is the goals were scored and the PK remains a glaring weak point of the team. Too many times the draw is lost and the other team has extended time in the d-zone because of the lost draw. Kruger was that guy until he hasn't been lately for whatever reason so maybe a Hanzel or Boyle is the way to go.

I don't see how any team in the NHL would want 16 at his cap hit - he's ours.

Kruger stinks & Bowman screwed up again & way overpaid him. Get him out for a more skilled Center to play with Hossa. Kero is better & cheaper than Kruger.

Make up for your MISTAKE Bowman.
- Goalie-33

Have a Snickers Bar and relax brother....