Is English your first language? I see spelling mistakes on here often but you take the cake partner.
- GPHawksfan

I guess that you haven't read any of Wiz's posts. I get a headache after trying to read about 15 words.

Marty yes they will.
- Z3Hawk

The difference between winning and losing can be so small, but I don't think anyone knows if they will improve, decline further or hold steady next season. I doubt they will be a top team, but they could definitely find themselves in the playoffs if the key guys are healthy.

I guess that you haven't read any of Wiz's posts. I get a headache after trying to read about 15 words.
- Dieselhead

I miss Wiz....

I miss Wiz....
- StLBravesFan

me too

The difference between winning and losing can be so small, but I don't think anyone knows if they will improve, decline further or hold steady next season. I doubt they will be a top team, but they could definitely find themselves in the playoffs if the key guys are healthy.
- breadbag

They need to add a few guys, especially on defense.

hmmm...no mention of crawford...

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...rs-deal-with-concussions/

The kid Danato having a good game tonite, right out of college in to the pro's.
Where's our college hot shot? Oh wait, prolly gonna sign elsewhere. Stan can't close the deal unless it's an undrafted FA that no one else wants. Not talking about Panerin either. Remember a heffer gets lucky after a night of drinking every now and then. That's Bowmans 1and done!

I guess we'll see next year, but to me this team is playing better, yes they have some games where its over after 30 minutes which happens with a young team, defenseman are a bit more consistent and not giving up 10 odd man breaks in a game anymore. Forwards are just off defensively in their positioning. Now if they learn how to attack the shadow defense exiting their own zone that would really be nice.
- BetweenTheDots

Pressure is off, doesn't matter how they play now.

Pressure is off, doesn't matter how they play now.
- 6628

Sure it does, its all about playing without thinking. The game is so fast the moment you think you're screwed. They only way you can do that is by playing minutes and repetition which lead to good on ice habits. So all this ice time matters

Sure it does, its all about playing without thinking. The game is so fast the moment you think you're screwed. They only way you can do that is by playing minutes and repetition which lead to good on ice habits. So all this ice time matters
- BetweenTheDots[/quote]

Absolutely - IF it’s productive ice team in terms of learning, developing, and experience.

If they’re just thrown out there with no plan, no help from the vets on the ice, no teaching from the coaches, which can happen towards the end of a disappointing season....

It does seem that many of the young players are taking charge for themselves in this stub of the season, which is a good sign.

They need to add a few guys, especially on defense.
- matt_ahrens

There is a deep hatred with repetitive discourse on the head of one Mr Stan Bowman. And coach Q seems to rise ire though perhaps not as voraciously.

While i have concurred to some extent, saying i am shaky with [Bowman] continued tenure, fair, objective analysis regarding this off season transactions may be foreshadowed by some decisions already made going back to last summer. I am NOT attemping to be a Bowman apologetic; I am interested in reporting accurately what we know or can assume based on the evidence at hand rather than a bombastic tirade which is creditable to believe but also premature until we see how everything "plays" out.

* Saad trade: no confirmation but i tend to believe Bowman wanted Panarin gone due to his attitude regarding desire to play harder, with more passion for Russia and not Chicago last spring. Panarin needs a coach to work with him, or actually two certain type linemattes because he is capable of greater exploits. Saad needs to play the way he did when last here. Both players are capable of more than they have produced. Saad has one or more issues and i am not wasting time guessing what is wrong. Yet nothing is actually wrong with his ability which cannot be remedied. Loss of confidance i say this season, not loss of ability.

Stan may have hoped that Saad could team up with linemattes to create a tougher, bigger, more physical and bruising foe. Didn't play out this season but the right chords could play a lovely meaner harmony again. (James Tanner would pop in a Black Sabbath note here)

* There is criticism of too many soft offensive third pair and or depth calibre dmen. Furthermore, at their age there is not going to be much improvement (but some, yes). Which is totally fair statement to make.

But underscore this: you got these horses, they have to run because there is some measured improvement from whence they came (AHL and bench warming) to confident and applying skill once they get NHL opportunity. They do have each their own offensive stand out ability but it is their weaknesses which is the downer. Since your team is dreadful, overall, play these guys and later you recoup something vis- a- vis trades.

Could be they are adept depth desired offensive puck movers in the playoffs. You do know the playoffs is a marathon and you need deep reserves. We will not keep but one of these guys long term - or none - depending upon how our next wave of dmen prospects move in.

* the future of the GM and coach is rather a heated cry out for change. As it should be if 1) Stan doesn't get the team at least one tough hombre on defense and at least one up front in the TOP SIX (emphadis intended). How can you compete in playoffs if the there is no push back. This issue is staring Stan squarely in the eyes and he is under a microscope to do something. He better or he will be toast. 2). Coach Q is obviously not the best with younger players; he is more the tactician who prefers veterans and a young guy has to be special for Q to like him. It would be best to replace him, but do so classy by allowing him to fulfill contract with scouting input.

* The German league player imminent sign and the PTO from the OHL are meant foremost to create legtimate offensive centers and therefore a more balanced Icehogs team. The prospects will benefit from a stronger team they become with the forwards addition. So do not quipe, "more smurfs" until if they stick in the NHL. Hey, would be a nice headache if those two signs compete for NHL employment later on.

Has to be serious money though and we will need a signed contract to ensure you pay. I’ll draft it.
- Z3Hawk

I just asked if you were so sure you'd bet on it. There is no way I'd bet you, I think you're a God damn loon with the crap you post on here.

I just asked if you were so sure you'd bet on it. There is no way I'd bet you, I think you're a God damn loon with the crap you post on here.
- GPHawksfan

Nice try. Who do you think you are that you believe you can talk to someone like this? Especially someone far smarter than you. A tough day at work made you cranky? Flipping those burgers can be hard. Any hockey topic you want to debate at any time GP you just let me know and don’t forget to bring your thimble of hockey knowledge.

For the record I debated JJ when he ran this Blog - JJ was very adamant that I was totally wrong regarding that DeBrincat would be a huge success this year. Well I had watched DeBrincat and simply knew. Well that would be one for Z3. So as I said any topic any time. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your shift - don’t want to keep Ronald McDonald waiting.

The difference between winning and losing can be so small, but I don't think anyone knows if they will improve, decline further or hold steady next season. I doubt they will be a top team, but they could definitely find themselves in the playoffs if the key guys are healthy.
- breadbag

That's the scary thing about this year--besides the Crow injury (which was obviously huge), they were probably one of the teams with the fewest games lost to injury.

The kid Danato having a good game tonite, right out of college in to the pro's.
Where's our college hot shot? Oh wait, prolly gonna sign elsewhere. Stan can't close the deal unless it's an undrafted FA that no one else wants. Not talking about Panerin either. Remember a heffer gets lucky after a night of drinking every now and then. That's Bowmans 1and done!
- wonthecup10

Finishing off his NCAA career by still playing.

Finishing off his NCAA career by still playing.
- Rota's Rooter

Still playing until maybe April 7 - the same day the Hawks’ season ends (regular season - they still have the playoffs hopefully - not eliminated yet).

So - could be no season left to have the phenom play a game or two to burn off his first entry level year.

An important Blackhawk advantage possibly gone.

Too bad the NHL couldn’t go to the Olympics - would have extended the season....

The kid Danato having a good game tonite, right out of college in to the pro's.
Where's our college hot shot? Oh wait, prolly gonna sign elsewhere. Stan can't close the deal unless it's an undrafted FA that no one else wants. Not talking about Panerin either. Remember a heffer gets lucky after a night of drinking every now and then. That's Bowmans 1and done!
- wonthecup10

Still playing for Northereastern, soon to be playing for Pittsburgh.

I am glad you are kidding about Granato. What's he going to do teach the players how to hit an opponent over the head with his stick. He is good at that.

Still playing for Northereastern, soon to be playing for Pittsburgh.
- DarthKane

Hold on, there, now - not so soon playing for Pittsburgh.

Not until October, anyways....

Hold on, there, now - not so soon playing for Pittsburgh.

Not until October, anyways....
- StLBravesFan

September...when training camp starts, that's soon(ish).

Sure it does, its all about playing without thinking. The game is so fast the moment you think you're screwed. They only way you can do that is by playing minutes and repetition which lead to good on ice habits. So all this ice time matters
- BetweenTheDots

My point is that it's a lot easier winning when the pressure is off. Sure the ice time is useful, but the win/loss record from here on doesn't matter. If they run the table till the end of the year it doesn't mean they are a better team for it. The pressure is off. They couldn't win when it mattered.

Still playing until maybe April 7 - the same day the Hawks’ season ends (regular season - they still have the playoffs hopefully - not eliminated yet).

So - could be no season left to have the phenom play a game or two to burn off his first entry level year.

An important Blackhawk advantage possibly gone.

Too bad the NHL couldn’t go to the Olympics - would have extended the season....
- StLBravesFan

Anything other than a regulation win tonight and it will be officially over. Of course the 7th and 8th seeds would have to lose out. And the 9 through 11th place teams would have to lose enough as well. Not trying to be a richard. Just like studying standings and playing with the what if's. Did it as a kid following baseball a lot.

How do you think McDonough and Rocky will look at this if Stan Bowman cannot get this kid signed? You think the thought is crossing their mind that maybe this kid is in over his head and now that daddy is 85 years old basically out of the picture . It sure seems like other than Panerin ,the only signing he could get done is other garbage that other teams didn’t draft in the first place and then overpay some of them.
And as far as the coach goes, if Joel doesn’t want to do it again next year, or if he has replaced, I would not discount the idea of Tony Granato As a replacement. I don’t think that idea is that far-fetched.

More than enough to realize that he is useful offensively at the NHL level and can hold his own. Needs to refine his edges defensively, but he, IMO will get there. You guys are crucifying him for mistakes that vet defenders make (I am aware of a gaff or two on his part that did cost you guys a game, but find me any legit, good NHL'r who hasn't made a mistake that cost a game, especially against top opposition, go on, I'll wait). Ease up. Learning the NHL game on the fly as a defender, especially since this is his first real shot, is a rough reach few can achieve.

Been trending upwards for 3 years now. First two in the AHL showed steady, yet good progress. Last season in the AHL was to me a realization that he could be a solid or a useful defender for us... especially with the Sekera injury.... until Chia let him go.

Been logging the most minutes as a Hawk defender not named Keith. Might be a lot for him, but he isn't making crucial mistakes on a daily basis as some would given those minutes.

Your biggest problems were trading away/letting lose of Panarin, Hjal, and TVR more than anything else.
- EdmHockeyMan

Honestly, I'm routing for Oesterle to find his way defensively because he has a good offensive mind for the game already and more importantly is one of the better skaters on the team.

So if he's fast, mobile, can potentially QB a PP, even throws the odd body check and makes $650k... he's not much of a risk. So here's hoping he can get it together in his own end.

The issue for me is not with Oesterle specifically, but that the Hawks plan to bring back 4x Oesterle-types in terms of skill level and experience:

* Oesterle (still figuring it out still)
* Rutta (still figuring it out still),
* Gustafsson (still figuring it out still)
* Forsling (still figuring it out still)


That's a lot of uncertainty again next year. They will all be a year older but I concerned that there won't be a dramatic enough change (in a positive way) in their game that makes me believe that this defence is going to be better.

Honestly, I'm routing for Oesterle to find his way defensively because he has a good offensive mind for the game already and more importantly is one of the better skaters on the team.

So if he's fast, mobile, can potentially QB a PP, even throws the odd body check and makes $650k... he's not much of a risk. So here's hoping he can get it together in his own end.

The issue for me is not with Oesterle specifically, but that the Hawks plan to bring back 4x Oesterle-types in terms of skill level and experience:

* Oesterle (still figuring it out still)
* Rutta (still figuring it out still),
* Gustafsson (still figuring it out still)
* Forsling (still figuring it out still)


That's a lot of uncertainty again next year. They will all be a year older but I concerned that there won't be a dramatic enough change (in a positive way) in their game that makes me believe that this defence is going to be better.
- Justin Lowe

I completely agree with your assessment of these players, but something needs to be done about their system as well. How many times can we make the same mistake of having all three forwards chasing the puck and caught behind the opponents net only to have an odd man break the other way.

We have to be near the bottom of the league in odd man rushes against. Between our forwards not recognizing the situation and our D being REALLY aggressive when they shouldn't there needs to be a lot of work done to correct what ails this team.