Great win! Anisimov isn´t getting that much attention but he is big reason why Panarin&Kane can do their magik.

***

It will be interesting to see how Stan and co. can keep this thing going in near future. Next year won´t be a problem even though Panarin bonuses will effect on cap. But after next season it comes complicated - again. If they buy out Bickell this year in 2017-2018 buy out cap hit will be 1,5 million and resigned Panarin´s cap hit should be about 4-6 million. That means no Shaw and Kruger with the Hawks anymore. Even if salary cap is around 75 million by then..
- MjulQvist

Agree 100% on AA. Hard to imagine a better match for those 2 wings than Artem. If by some miracle they can get Panarin to sign a bridge at the lower end of that range they should look good. If he keeps playing like this I doubt it will happen. If he remains a top 10 scorer his agent will have plenty of ammo for the high end or beyond.

I wish when an organization like NHL.com changes its web site they would make sure they had enough servers so it would run smoother. It's so painfully slow

On top of the influx of youth in Chicago, Dano (21) has 2G, 2A in his last 4 games for Rockford. He leads the Ice Hogs in assists per game at 0.53 per and is second in +/- at +15, 3 behind 30-year-old veteran Jake Dowell who has played 14 more games than Marko. He's struggled getting the biscuit in the basket, only scoring 4 times, but some of that may be due to a snake-bitten 5.8% shooting percentage, the lowest of his career to date.

Add in Nick Schmaltz (19, turns 20 in a couple weeks) and Tyler Motte (20) who are both having strong collegiate seasons, Gustav Forsling (19) who has taken it to the next level in Sweden this season and lower ceiling prospects like Ryan Hartman, Vinny Hinostroza and Ville Pokka (all 21), and the Hawks cupboard isn't as bare as it once was perceived after dealing away guys like Johns, Dahlbeck, Paliotta and Nordstrom.
- 4_in_7

Great update on Dano, THX.

The rises of Forsling, Motte and Schmaltz have been extremely good for their system depth.

I will say the last few games from Gus are concerning. 12 mins last night. He is backing in a lot on defense. Wondering if he is nursing an injury or has he lost confidence? Could be both. Good to see TVR picking it up some offensively. That said, if Gus's mins and play stay here I would not be surprised if a d man is added at the TDL.

I wish when an organization like NHL.com changes its web site they would make sure they had enough servers so it would run smoother. It's so painfully slow
- BetweenTheDots

Like I said yesterday, Bettman got a good deal on the contractors who did the Obamacare website

Great update on Dano, THX.

The rises of Forsling, Motte and Schmaltz have been extremely good for their system depth.

I will say the last few games from Gus are concerning. 12 mins last night. He is backing in a lot on defense. Wondering if he is nursing an injury or has he lost confidence? Could be both. Good to see TVR picking it up some offensively. That said, if Gus's mins and play stay here I would not be surprised if a d man is added at the TDL.
- tredbrta

I'd say TVR is out playing him now. He goes mostly unnoticed, but tell me many second year, really rookie Dmen that are playing better, and improving more than TVR.

Random observations from tonight:

I've gotta say, the boys really did look good. By far the best game I've seen live. I can't think of a Hawk that had a bad game. More than anything, they looked HUNGRY. Reverse of the last game against Dallas, the Hawks wanted it more and it was clear. I thought the passing was the best it's been in a while, super crisp tape to tape.

Crawford was stellar, again. Hawks fans had a nice "Corey" chant going, and I saw more signs against the glass for him than other player. Nice to see Crow getting some love.

Man do I love Panarin even more each game. So feisty. Anyone else notice he's always the last off the ice at the end of the game besides Toews? He was one of the last guys off after warm ups, too. The kid has heart. He was joking around with a lot of the players during warm ups, seems like his English is coming along. And holypoop is he strong on his skates. Even my Stars fan friend I was with noticed and commented on how great his cutting back and forth was.

Loved seeing AA get so many points. He's been a difference maker all season for that line but generally in ways that don't make it on the scoreboard. Panarin and Kane have had the "knowing where the other is on the ice at all times" connection pretty much all season but tonight I really noticed that Anisimov does, too. Great anticipation and it looked like he always knew exactly where the other two would want him to be. Those three are dirty. I'm really glad Q has kept AA on the PK even once Keith was back. Really solid addition there. Stan is looking more and more like a genius for getting Anisimov under the gun and then locking him up for a while. Once they have Panarin extended we've got a ridiculously dangerous line for years to come.

I feel like Desi is really quietly having a great season. Shaw-esque compete level and really hustles. I know that line isn't scoring much but I noticed Desi almost every time he was out there. I didn't notice TT as much, either good or bad. I don't think I caught much floating and he had some nice plays. At one point (maybe after AA blocked a shot with his ankle) TT was centering 72 and 88 and I immediately wondered if they are in fact trying to showcase him at center, even for a few shifts.

Beast mode Hossa, Toews playing like Toews, Hammer with some offense =

Who would you guys say is the fastest skater on the team right now?

Does anyone know if these refs were rookies like Thursday? Calling the game super tight, and phantom calls on both teams. Definitely killed the momentum and flow of the game more than once on things that probably should have been let go.
- maria_wyeth

Nice summary. Hard to call on fastest skater. They have some nice depth there - it would be nice to see what adding a blazer to line 1 would result in.

One of the refs was a rookie.

Funny how Ruff was using Rousell to try to agitate Kane. Eaves was trying that too. Worked out great. These coaching relics never learn. That said, if Mashinter is going to take a spot then how about handling Rousell in the 3rd when the game is out of hand? It is the regular season. Q apparently has him up here for toughness. Why let Rousell take liberties?

I wish when an organization like NHL.com changes its web site they would make sure they had enough servers so it would run smoother. It's so painfully slow
- BetweenTheDots

And I thought it was my computer that was the problem.
Not only is it slow, but it is also poorly planned. I liked the old site because all the information was compactly displayed.

Does anyone know if these refs were rookies like Thursday? Calling the game super tight, and phantom calls on both teams. Definitely killed the momentum and flow of the game more than once on things that probably should have been let go.
- maria_wyeth

I believe Foley made a comment about one of them being a first year ref.

I wish when an organization like NHL.com changes its web site they would make sure they had enough servers so it would run smoother. It's so painfully slow
- BetweenTheDots

It's the MLB takeover. On the bright side more money for the NHL will help raise the cap.

I'd say TVR is out playing him now. He goes mostly unnoticed, but tell me many second year, really rookie Dmen that are playing better, and improving more than TVR.
- vabeachbear

Their mins certainly say Q thinks TVR is playing better. This is really his rookie year and it doesn't look like he has hit a wall yet like Parayko. I do hope Gus is sick. They both need to be playing well to make that lack of a true 4d work.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is illness. Gus didn't see the ice in OT the other night.

Their mins certainly say Q thinks TVR is playing better. This is really his rookie year and it doesn't look like he has hit a wall yet like Parayko. I do hope Gus is sick. They both need to be playing well to make that lack of a true 4d work.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is illness. Gus didn't see the ice in OT the other night.
- tredbrta

I was right behind the glass for warmups and Gus was the only guy I didn't see smiling at some point (TVR and Panarin were the most smiley). He stopped right next to me for a minute and he kinda had a grimace on his face and looked a little pale so I could definitely see him being a little under the weather

It's the MLB takeover. On the bright side more money for the NHL will help raise the cap.
- walleyeb1

It's a catch-22. You save money by reconfiguring your platform (downgrading it from all reports), and in so doing, discourage fans from using it. The less-invested fans who get tired of not being able to see the games, etc. lose interest (see Wirtz, Bill). Especially in the US, where hockey is not regularly covered on major sports channels/sites. Then, your revenue drops.

I'm personally finding it much harder to locate practice and post-game interviews, which were a great source of info.

I was right behind the glass for warmups and Gus was the only guy I didn't see smiling at some point (TVR and Panarin were the most smiley). He stopped right next to me for a minute and he kinda had a grimace on his face and looked a little pale so I could definitely see him being a little under the weather
- maria_wyeth

Hate to say it but I'm glad to hear he was pale and grimacing. Thx.

Says something that he stays in the lineup. That D looks different without his passing and mobility to augment Keith's.

Damn Daley.

Also, (frank) Nill.

Until this year I would never have said this but, Crow is as important to this team as Roy was to the Avalanche or Hextall was to the Flyers. He has become one rock solid core piece. I can't imagine any other goalie in the league that I would rather have. Just don't let him have his 3rd beer until the season is over.

GO HOCKS! GO CROW!

And I thought it was my computer that was the problem.
Not only is it slow, but it is also poorly planned. I liked the old site because all the information was compactly displayed.
- 67hawks

I use gamecenter and streaming has taken a hit. had no problems prior to the upgrade and I have high end wireless upload speed. Now i get studdering and really annoying lag...

Nice summary. Hard to call on fastest skater. They have some nice depth there - it would be nice to see what adding a blazer to line 1 would result in.

One of the refs was a rookie.

Funny how Ruff was using Rousell to try to agitate Kane. Eaves was trying that too. Worked out great. These coaching relics never learn. That said, if Mashinter is going to take a spot then how about handling Rousell in the 3rd when the game is out of hand? It is the regular season. Q apparently has him up here for toughness. Why let Rousell take liberties?
- tredbrta

Totally Agree Tred. With the game 5-1, it was the perfect opportunity to let Rousell know that taking liberties with our stars is not acceptable. What's his role on this team if he won't hit, especially with the game in hand. If Kane would have gotten hurt with that cheap shot, where would the season go ?? The guy is a punk and needed to be put in his place.

Why would Gus be playing if he was still sick?

I use gamecenter and streaming has taken a hit. had no problems prior to the upgrade and I have high end wireless upload speed. Now i get studdering and really annoying lag...
- bogiedoc

Yes it really sucked last night.......I watch through Roku and at one point it froze on updating, once I turned if off and restarted I had no problems.The worst part was the score was 1-0 when I rebooted and by the time I got it back it showed 3-1 but I still rewound to watch.Sucks to know the score whiles watching though,never had problems like this with the old Hockeystreams

Why would Gus be playing if he was still sick?
- SimpleJack

Because he is tough? Wants to impress his coach? Q wanted his skating? Q didn't want Scuderi in the lineup?

Based on what has been written the Hawks had several guys playing sick before the break. Anisimov missed one game and then played the following still looking very sick and Q said as much.

Big deal. If he was severely ill - like Sekac reportedly is - I'm sure he wouldn't have traveled. This kid is a rookie trying to make an impression and keep a job. Admire his will if it is true.

Well the Hawks sent the message last night. We are the Cup Champs and we are not going away. 19/81 have awoken and are flat rolling. 19 looks possessed and CC? Wow. Total team domination.

Totally Agree Tred. With the game 5-1, it was the perfect opportunity to let Rousell know that taking liberties with our stars is not acceptable. What's his role on this team if he won't hit, especially with the game in hand. If Kane would have gotten hurt with that cheap shot, where would the season go ?? The guy is a punk and needed to be put in his place.
- Hawkytalk

I'm not advocating gooning it up but Mash isn't in there for his play. Fill the role like he did in Rockford.

Bollig punished Rousell in a similar circumstance back in 14 and Rousell toned it down in the other games they had. I remember the shot of Antoine keeled over from the body shots from Bollig on his way to the locker room with relish. He is a really cheap player. Took a few runs at Crow too. Perfect opportunity to regulate his garbage within the rules.

Why would Gus be playing if he was still sick?
- SimpleJack

Because the Hawks simply cannot have both Rozy and Scuderi in the lineup at the same time...especially in a showdown for first place on the road. Gus is more than fine, he'll get healthy and then get better.

I'm not advocating gooning it up but Mash isn't in there for his play. Fill the role like he did in Rockford.

Bollig punished Rousell in a similar circumstance back in 14 and Rousell toned it down in the other games they had. I remember the shot of Antoine keeled over from the body shots from Bollig on his way to the locker room with relish. He is a really cheap player. Took a few runs at Crow too. Perfect opportunity to regulate his garbage within the rules.
- tredbrta

Precisely.

Honestly, straight up, the deal for Anisimov is a win for the Hawks...and that's not denigrating Saad at all...he's a great player who is still improving...but Anisimov has been a revelation in a Hawk's uniform. Last night he played like an elite Centre. A LOT better than Eric Staal, for instance, who's making $8+ per year.

And when you add Dano and Panik to the deal, its tilting hugely towards the Hawks. Great work Stan.

Their mins certainly say Q thinks TVR is playing better. This is really his rookie year and it doesn't look like he has hit a wall yet like Parayko. I do hope Gus is sick. They both need to be playing well to make that lack of a true 4d work.

I wouldn't be surprised if it is illness. Gus didn't see the ice in OT the other night.
- tredbrta

I wouldn´t be too worried about Gus. Sick or not this is his first year in North America and as I´ve said earlier that getting use to playing as many games and travel a lot can take its toll on european players. I think it is a big plus that he is up and able to play in NHL. Playing good when your tired is something to learn about for europeans.