Justin Lowe: Ok, For Real, Last Chance To Pick It Up Hawks vs. Islanders preview covered in this blog + a rumour update.

NYI:
Season Matchup: 1st matchup of the year
23-20-4 = 50 points
7th in Atlantic Division
Last game: LOST vs. Boston (5-2) on Thursday
GF: 158 (2nd in NHL) / GA: 172 (LAST)
PP% = 19.7% (12th in NHL)
PK% = 73.3% (30th in NHL)
Sniper: Anders Lee – 26 goals
Producer: John Tavares – 55 points
Tough Guys: – Scott Mayfield - 37 PIMs & Cal Clutterbuck - 136 hits
Expected Starter: Jaro Halak
Injuries: Ladd, Boychuk, de Haan, Kulemin, Cizikas,


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First

Justin just read your post good wright up are the hawks looking say ian cole or are they looking more towards the future to replace one of the core say for example trouba. I m not saying him specifically but using him as a type of d the hawks might be looking at.

In Re Crawford - Q&A w/ Q

On if there was an update on Crawford: “No news.”

On if it's a become a long-term concern: “I think when you get him on the ice, you get a clear indication of when that's going to be. So, right now the guys in the net have been doing everything they can to give us a chance and get points every single night. That’s where we’re at. Obviously injuries are not a pleasant part of a team’s year, but everybody deals with them whether they’re top guys or other guys as well. But it's something we’ll go along here with what we can control, and the goalies are giving us a chance every night. That’s all we can ask.”

On whether Crawford has worked out: “Right now, I would say he’s been off the ice, and his workouts haven’t been much, but that’s kind of where it’s at. We’ll get a better idea when he begins working out and how close he can be to being on the ice.”

On whether Crawford is in Chicago: “Yes.”

On whether he's still confident Crawford will return this season: “Yes, that’s our expectation and hope. That's where we're at.”

On whether he and/or the doctors are communicating with Crawford: “I would say medically they’re more in tune with his progress. And right now, we’re optimistic we’ll get a closer idea.”

On whether he's personally reached out to Crawford: “Yes.”

On whether Crawford's shown any progress: “Progress would be, to me, the next point progress where all of a sudden you see him getting ready to get on the ice. So, I can say we haven’t seen much progress, but that’s where we’re at with that.”

On whether they'd place Crawford on long-term injured reserve: “LTI, I don't think that’s a need for us right now. So, that’s not part of the discussion.”

On whether Crawford is being treated by team doctors or outside doctors: “I don't want get into that part of it.”

On whether there are any long-term health concerns with Crawford: “We’re not talking about the injury. He's got an upper-body injury. I respect the question, and we don’t discuss injuries as well. But we expect him to be fine.”

On whether Crawford's injury occurred during a game: “I don’t think it was a defining blow.”

From The Athletic

I believe they are grooming Forsling and Ruuta and believe playing these 2 together is going to payoff going into the future. It usually takes 3 to 6 years, if it happens at all.

I'm surprised they aren't doing the same with Murphy and Oesterle

Gustafsson is a let's see what we got

Justin just read your post good wright up are the hawks looking say ian cole or are they looking more towards the future to replace one of the core say for example trouba. I m not saying him specifically but using him as a type of d the hawks might be looking at.
- Scott1977

Getting Trouba is imaginery, he has no real leverage as a RFA and if Winnipeg were forced to move him they would command much more in trade than the Hawks can offer.

Justin, please tell me who your sources are, I need to clean house.

NOBODY reads my diary!

Getting Trouba is imaginery, he has no real leverage as a RFA and if Winnipeg were forced to move him they would command much more in trade than the Hawks can offer.
- RickJ

I know trouba is a pipe dream i was asking if the hawks are looking at that type of d man young someone for the future

Justin just read your post good wright up are the hawks looking say ian cole or are they looking more towards the future to replace one of the core say for example trouba. I m not saying him specifically but using him as a type of d the hawks might be looking at.
- Scott1977

I'm not hearing exact names, so can't comment there.

My source thought that, at this point, they are thinking more towards the future.

If they trade for, let's say Ian Cole and give up a couple assets to get him, then they DON'T make the playoffs AND can't resign him... not something Stan wants to do.

However, if it was someone like, let's say, Jake McCabe or Ben Hutton who are young and have term left, then they DON'T make the playoffs, Stan can say he tried and player X can still help them next year.

Justin, please tell me who your sources are, I need to clean house.

NOBODY reads my diary!
- Stan_Bowman

You left your email open.

I'm not hearing exact names, so can't comment there.

My source thought that, at this point, they are thinking more towards the future.

If they trade for, let's say Ian Cole and give up a couple assets to get him, then they DON'T make the playoffs AND can't resign him... not something Stan wants to do.

However, if it was someone like, let's say, Jake McCabe or Ben Hutton who are young and have term left, then they DON'T make the playoffs, Stan can say he tried and player X can still help them next year.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks for responding i rather them keep doing as far as trades for the future like the duclair trade. One other thing say by mid February and looking more and more likely hawks are going to miss the playoffs do the hawks trade AA or wait until the off-season? Keep up the good work justin enjoy reading your posts

Justin Nice work.

I am of the opinion that the non-sense Q is forced to spew is insulting to us here on the bandwagon. We deserve at this point to understand in more clear terms how long Cro is out. They know now. Just my $0.02

I'm not hearing exact names, so can't comment there.

My source thought that, at this point, they are thinking more towards the future.

If they trade for, let's say Ian Cole and give up a couple assets to get him, then they DON'T make the playoffs AND can't resign him... not something Stan wants to do.

However, if it was someone like, let's say, Jake McCabe or Ben Hutton who are young and have term left, then they DON'T make the playoffs, Stan can say he tried and player X can still help them next year.
- Justin Lowe

very random thought, but curious as what you think...

is it possible Hawks will wait to LTIR Crawford before the deadline and make a splash?

'I’m digging into more whispers'.....

Great work again Justin, thanks.

I know Q is the guy with Hall of Fame coaching credentials and 4 Stanley Cups, but I find his decisions to be very inconsistent.

If Forsling, Ruuta or Murphy (especially) have a bad outing they sit the next game. Debrincat's game has cooled off but he doesn't sit and he gets PP time. Hartman doesn't produce and he sits. Duclair comes from a team where he asks from a trade (which is usually frowned upon in the hockey world) and he instantly gets top line and PP minutes. Linked to Duclair is Hinostroza, who despite playing well and having chemistry with Saad and Toews gets bumped to the third line.

Forsling and Murphy should be playing every night. They have earned that plus they are a big part of the Hawks future and need to continue to gain experience. Hinostroza has played well enough to stay with Toews and Duclair hasn't earned top line minutes.

Justin Nice work.

I am of the opinion that the non-sense Q is forced to spew is insulting to us here on the bandwagon. We deserve at this point to understand in more clear terms how long Cro is out. They know now. Just my $0.02
- riozzo

I don't think we do, a player's health is there own personal business. Just because Crawford is somewhat of a public figure that doesn't mean we are entitle to know his personal health information. Should he be sharing his income tax return too?

I don't think we do, a player's health is there own personal business. Just because Crawford is somewhat of a public figure that doesn't mean we are entitle to know his personal health information. Should he be sharing his income tax return too?
- DarthKane

Let me know if you need a hook up

I don't think we do, a player's health is there own personal business. Just because Crawford is somewhat of a public figure that doesn't mean we are entitle to know his personal health information. Should he be sharing his income tax return too?
- DarthKane

That’s it - we’d find he has investments in Russia and is uninjured in Moscow meeting with Putin cronies....

And collusion between Trudeau’s campaign and the Russians....

And...oh, never mind.

Comrade Crawford

Great work again Justin, thanks.

I know Q is the guy with Hall of Fame coaching credentials and 4 Stanley Cups, but I find his decisions to be very inconsistent.

If Forsling, Ruuta or Murphy (especially) have a bad outing they sit the next game. Debrincat's game has cooled off but he doesn't sit and he gets PP time. Hartman doesn't produce and he sits. Duclair comes from a team where he asks from a trade (which is usually frowned upon in the hockey world) and he instantly gets top line and PP minutes. Linked to Duclair is Hinostroza, who despite playing well and having chemistry with Saad and Toews gets bumped to the third line.

Forsling and Murphy should be playing every night. They have earned that plus they are a big part of the Hawks future and need to continue to gain experience. Hinostroza has played well enough to stay with Toews and Duclair hasn't earned top line minutes.
- DarthKane

The only reasonable explanation for dropping Hino is that Q is looking for a better finisher on that line, because Saad sure isn't doing it and Toews isn't the goal scorer.

I'm not in love with the defensive side of Rutta's game, Murphy is bigger and better overall but lacks top speed and doesn't bring much offence.

Would it surprise you if Bowman traded Murphy if a good offer came along?

That’s it - we’d find he has investments in Russia and is uninjured in Moscow meeting with Putin cronies....

And collusion between Trudeau’s campaign and the Russians....

And...oh, never mind.
- StLBravesFan

very random thought, but curious as what you think...

is it possible Hawks will wait to LTIR Crawford before the deadline and make a splash?
- frafra

the only splash this team is making is into the lottery draft pool...

I'm not hearing exact names, so can't comment there.

My source thought that, at this point, they are thinking more towards the future.

If they trade for, let's say Ian Cole and give up a couple assets to get him, then they DON'T make the playoffs AND can't resign him... not something Stan wants to do.

However, if it was someone like, let's say, Jake McCabe or Ben Hutton who are young and have term left, then they DON'T make the playoffs, Stan can say he tried and player X can still help them next year.
- Justin Lowe

those days of overpaying for ufa's are OVAH....

In Re Crawford - Q&A w/ Q

On if there was an update on Crawford: “No news.”

On if it's a become a long-term concern: “I think when you get him on the ice, you get a clear indication of when that's going to be. So, right now the guys in the net have been doing everything they can to give us a chance and get points every single night. That’s where we’re at. Obviously injuries are not a pleasant part of a team’s year, but everybody deals with them whether they’re top guys or other guys as well. But it's something we’ll go along here with what we can control, and the goalies are giving us a chance every night. That’s all we can ask.”

On whether Crawford has worked out: “Right now, I would say he’s been off the ice, and his workouts haven’t been much, but that’s kind of where it’s at. We’ll get a better idea when he begins working out and how close he can be to being on the ice.”

On whether Crawford is in Chicago: “Yes.”

On whether he's still confident Crawford will return this season: “Yes, that’s our expectation and hope. That's where we're at.”

On whether he and/or the doctors are communicating with Crawford: “I would say medically they’re more in tune with his progress. And right now, we’re optimistic we’ll get a closer idea.”

On whether he's personally reached out to Crawford: “Yes.”

On whether Crawford's shown any progress: “Progress would be, to me, the next point progress where all of a sudden you see him getting ready to get on the ice. So, I can say we haven’t seen much progress, but that’s where we’re at with that.”

On whether they'd place Crawford on long-term injured reserve: “LTI, I don't think that’s a need for us right now. So, that’s not part of the discussion.”

On whether Crawford is being treated by team doctors or outside doctors: “I don't want get into that part of it.”

On whether there are any long-term health concerns with Crawford: “We’re not talking about the injury. He's got an upper-body injury. I respect the question, and we don’t discuss injuries as well. But we expect him to be fine.”

On whether Crawford's injury occurred during a game: “I don’t think it was a defining blow.”

From The Athletic
- pdx2ord

I watched the video on the Blackhawks website. His comments on the current goalies were interesting. Forsberg goes tomorrow night and he keeps going as long as he can hold the net. Then Glass will go as long as he can hold the net. They'll keep going back and forth until one of them keeps it. I don't mind that approach. Make them earn it.

Not happy that Vinny was dumped from the top line, but what can U do with Q at the helm .I believe Vinny would be better with Hartman and Schmaltz like last year . Duclair on the top line Debrincat with AA and Kane .Bring Hayden back to play on the 4th line again and maybe some PP in front of the net . The defense maybe a trade is coming or Q just likes messing with their minds . Keep spinning that wheel Q maybe you will hit on something , hope it's not to late .GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!