eke one out...agreed. Playing down to the competition?...I don't think so.
- ArlingtonRob

now rob you can't tell me the hawks = coyotes...

if not for a couple of delay of game pens....this game is probably a blow out; that team sucks

What's going on in Buffalo, RyanO'Rielly on waivers?

What's going on in Buffalo, RyanO'Rielly on waivers?
- wonthecup10

Cal O Reikly

now rob you can't tell me the hawks = coyotes...

if not for a couple of delay of game pens....this game is probably a blow out; that team sucks
- bogiedoc

So the Hawks beat the Washington Generals of hockey tonight...and there was dancing in the streets - heck Panarin even got off the hook with is predictible one timer from the left circle, Still the Hawks tried their best to give this game away but the Yotes refused...don't get me wrong I love seeing Mike Smith (the academy award winner) getting trounced - see Andrew Shaw playoffs 2012...but you have to wonder how the Hawks will fare against Minni and Edmonton on the rest of the trip.

The reality is unless Bowman is able to make a major move or two in the next few weeks here, they're probably headed for a first round exit.

On to Dallas Saturday night...personally I'd rather have Sharp than Iginla if that's what it comes to.

now rob you can't tell me the hawks = coyotes...

if not for a couple of delay of game pens....this game is probably a blow out; that team sucks
- bogiedoc

How do the Hawks let the Coyotes back into the game, after a dominating 1st period?

- Captain J. Toews takes a tripping penalty IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONE 10 seconds into the 2nd period
- 9 seconds later, AA decides that flipping the puck out of the rink is the way to clear the zone
- @ 2:49, Hammer sees how high he can shoot the puck, unfortunately, he aims at the glass and misses
- 14:44 Panik decides cross checking OEL IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONE is a solid play. Fortunately, OEL flops and we get a 4 on 4
- Seabs deflects a shot behind CC with his back turned to the play. For all you young hockey players out there, that's not easy to do.
- Campbell decides twice isn't enough, and takes his own DOG penalty

The reality is, they badly outplayed ARI in the 1st, lost concentration and started doing some really foolish things. The got smoked in the 2nd because the were in the box most of the 20 minutes.

They win in a walk if they stay out of the box, and skate up and down the ice with the 'Yotes for the final 40 minutes. And it started with the Captain taking a lazy, stupid penalty 10 seconds in. And they clamped down in the 3rd allowing only 7 SOG against.

now rob you can't tell me the hawks = coyotes...

if not for a couple of delay of game pens....this game is probably a blow out; that team sucks
- bogiedoc

Obviously, the Hawks are better than the 'yotes...I just don't think the Hawks are vastly superior. Most games are nail biters against middling competition because the Hawks special teams are bad and they generally score 2 or fewer goals.

Very thin margin for error. Then against the better clubs they generally lose.

Thank goodness for the goaltending, especially early this season.

Bit of a nail biter there . A goofy game to say the least 3 dog calls in 1 period wow ,that broke up the HAWKS momentum .Still Arizona has played much better of late and lost 1 goal decisions to LA And Minny of late ,and had only given up 8 goals in their last 4 games . Say what you want I have seen good things in the last two games ,little more consistency would be nice . It a team with a lot of young players ,and they did well not to completely implode tonight when faced with some adversity in the 3rd .. GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I buy stock in tin foil because of you
- mrpaulish

Bit of a nail biter there . A goofy game to say the least 3 dog calls in 1 period wow ,that broke up the HAWKS momentum .Still Arizona has played much better of late and lost 1 goal decisions to LA And Minny of late ,and had only given up 8 goals in their last 4 games . Say what you want I have seen good things in the last two games ,little more consistency would be nice . It a team with a lot of young players ,and they did well not to completely implode tonight when faced with some adversity in the 3rd .. GwO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

Understatement of epic proportion! Texted my boss who was at the game that I was hoping for 60 minutes of solid hockey. Apparently that was asking too much of this team right now. The lack of consistency is huge. Who has 3 DOG penalties in one period?! Self inflicted wounds...

Don't think anyone could have predicted a one-timer while going backwards and having it actually score (let alone be on net).

That one was a lot tougher than it looked.

Anyone who believes this team, as is, can just "turn it on" for the playoffs, is smoking some good ganja.
Their best players, AREN'T their best players.

Courtesy and being politically correct would see Bowman deal with his Stanley Cup winning goaltender's situation first before he ever has any discussions with Darling's agent about giving him the net. And he would only be doing that if Darling was willing to play for the right money - saving $1 - $1.5M on the cap isn't worth alienating the dressing room and moving the better goaltender.
- RickJ

I am fairly certain they have discussed the possibility of dealing Crawford prior to the expiration of his contract with he and his agent—at least once in the last 2 years. As hard as that may be for some to believe, and I don't know all the particulars, but it didn't sound acrimonious. More like, the dollars may force it and both sides recognize it.

It's a business. And more goes on behind there scenes than most realize.

That's not to say Crawford WILL be dealt. If I had to bet, I'd put the odds at 50/50 or slightly higher right before the draft.But there are some other things that may need to play out too.

So the Hawks beat the Washington Generals of hockey tonight...and there was dancing in the streets - heck Panarin even got off the hook with is predictible one timer from the left circle, Still the Hawks tried their best to give this game away but the Yotes refused...don't get me wrong I love seeing Mike Smith (the academy award winner) getting trounced - see Andrew Shaw playoffs 2012...but you have to wonder how the Hawks will fare against Minni and Edmonton on the rest of the trip.

The reality is unless Bowman is able to make a major move or two in the next few weeks here, they're probably headed for a first round exit.

On to Dallas Saturday night...personally I'd rather have Sharp than Iginla if that's what it comes to.
- DK002

Since death is not an option, yes, I would take Sharp over Iginla because he is best on the left side.

I am still holding out hope for a Duchene, Tatar, JVR, Hanzal type acquisition. Have not heard anything in the last 24. Keep ya posted.

Just a 1LW, 1C and 1RW then this team can contend with anyone.
- DarthKane

Yep, dat Hossa. He's a tird liner.

Yep, dat Hossa. He's a tird liner.
- John Jaeckel

Don't forget that Toews is a 3rd liner too.

I am fairly certain they have discussed the possibility of dealing Crawford prior to the expiration of his contract with he and his agent—at least once in the last 2 years. As hard as that may be for some to believe, and I don't know all the particulars, but it didn't sound acrimonious. More like, the dollars may force it and both sides recognize it.

It's a business. And more goes on behind there scenes than most realize.

That's not to say Crawford WILL be dealt. If I had to bet, I'd put the odds at 50/50 or slightly higher right before the draft.But there are some other things that may need to play out too.
- John Jaeckel

you would off course have discussion's with Darlings agent, What if you don't and you get a acceptably offer for Craw and pull the trigger and then darlings agent says we want to goto to UFA and see what is out there? Assuming you like Darling and he likes you, knowing what he would sign for if craw was traded is 50% of the factor of trading Craw. If you can save 3mil Vs the cap and can get back a pick (maybe a 2nd and a prospect) then that gives you some real flexibility for a change. Having some Cap flexibility is Huge. If we have a extra Mil last off season we probably have Vanek on this team right now.

Don't forget that Toews is a 3rd liner too.
- teh_HAWKZ

Anybody that gets stuck playing with Richard Panik is a HOF'er. Panik is AWFUL. Had first 7 games of year & has since been BRUTAL!!

Put Hino up with 19 before Panik. Panik is a 3rd liner in AHL.

Can't completely rule out the first, but I can the second.

Niklas Hjalmarsson is not going anywhere.
- John Jaeckel

Not going anywhere this season but...

Of all the core players it would be in his best interest to leave from a monetary standpoint. Only 2 years left on his deal after this season. He's already given a big hometown discount and this will be the last contract to ring the bell in a big way.

They had a chance to trade AA without clauses kicking in last summer and didn't....He's on the same contract cycle as Hammer but-Who is going to pay AA more than $6 mill without Kane and AP at his side...Or even the same amount?? Can't see AA wanting to leave early.

Hammer can get a contract for close to $7 mill....Which would be a >40% raise.
Unless there is a drastic change in the cap structure, that's not happening here.
Hammer at a cap hit of $4 mill per for 2 more years is a valuable trade chip...One of the biggest bargains in the NHL.

The easiest way of the box for Bowman is if a core guy not named Toews or Kane wants a change of scenery....There's about $3 million reasons why Hammer could give his blessing to move on.

No other name player has as much to gain on his next deal as Hammer.

Since death is not an option, yes, I would take Sharp over Iginla because he is best on the left side.

I am still holding out hope for a Duchene, Tatar, JVR, Hanzal type acquisition. Have not heard anything in the last 24. Keep ya posted.
- John Jaeckel

After watching Hanzal yesterday I am on board with Hawks acquiring him. Enzo even mentioned how he would be a good 3C for some playoff team. You move Kruger down to 4C and that would be pretty strong. Also, I think Hartman should get some 1R time. So my lines would be:

Schmaltz-Toews-Hartman
Panarin-AA-Kane
Vinny-Hanzal-Hoss
Moose-Kruger-Panik

Q won't do that...but I would like to see that. I know Vinny has sat the last two...but I like his speed in our lineup.

Anybody that gets stuck playing with Richard Panik is a HOF'er. Panik is AWFUL. Had first 7 games of year & has since been BRUTAL!!

Put Hino up with 19 before Panik. Panik is a 3rd liner in AHL.
- Goalie-33[/quot

Panik is not a # 1LW or RW but he has been one of our top 9 Forwards in my eyes all year. He hits people and is willing to go into the corners and has speed. he does not have great hands I agree, but to say he is a AHL forward is being pretty hard on him. Hino is OK but is also a 3/4 line player. he has speed but has no size, he does have better hands but Hino does not bring the physical edge that panic brings so they both have flaws that mean they are best in the bottom 6. I thought that Panik/Teows/Schmaltz line was OK last night. If we got one more Wing at this point I would do
LW-teows-schmaltz
PAK
Panik-Kruger-hossa
Moose-Kero-Hartman I feel like at this point those 3 have been better then Des and Hino.

After watching Hanzal yesterday I am on board with Hawks acquiring him. Enzo even mentioned how he would be a good 3C for some playoff team. You move Kruger down to 4C and that would be pretty strong. Also, I think Hartman should get some 1R time. So my lines would be:

Schmaltz-Toews-Hartman
Panarin-AA-Kane
Vinny-Hanzal-Hoss
Moose-Kruger-Panik

Q won't do that...but I would like to see that. I know Vinny has sat the last two...but I like his speed in our lineup.
- onehundredlevel

Hanzal is going to fetch a nice return....Unless the deal includes Schmaltz, Motte or Forsling the Hawks won't win that bidding war.

58 years ago today, near Clear Lake, Iowa.

The Day the Music Died.

Obviously, the Hawks are better than the 'yotes...I just don't think the Hawks are vastly superior. Most games are nail biters against middling competition because the Hawks special teams are bad and they generally score 2 or fewer goals.

Very thin margin for error. Then against the better clubs they generally lose.

Thank goodness for the goaltending, especially early this season.
- ArlingtonRob

The issue is the Hawks are vastly superior to any team because they don't come close to playing a full 60 minutes of effective hockey.

Not going anywhere this season but...

Of all the core players it would be in his best interest to leave from a monetary standpoint. Only 2 years left on his deal after this season. He's already given a big hometown discount and this will be the last contract to ring the bell in a big way.

They had a chance to trade AA without clauses kicking in last summer and didn't....He's on the same contract cycle as Hammer but-Who is going to pay AA more than $6 mill without Kane and AP at his side...Or even the same amount?? Can't see AA wanting to leave early.

Hammer can get a contract for close to $7 mill....Which would be a >40% raise.
Unless there is a drastic change in the cap structure, that's not happening here.
Hammer at a cap hit of $4 mill per for 2 more years is a valuable trade chip...One of the biggest bargains in the NHL.

The easiest way of the box for Bowman is if a core guy not named Toews or Kane wants a change of scenery....There's about $3 million reasons why Hammer could give his blessing to move on.

No other name player has as much to gain on his next deal as Hammer.
- Al

Have been thinking that as well. As much as it would suck to lose Hammer, he would be valuable in trade and might unlock or at least rearrange the Cap puzzle for Bowman to a certain extent to trade for a LW to play with 19 and 81.

As JJ mentioned I could see this and Kruger and possibly CC with new addresses this summer...or the TDL but I think the likelihood is greater this summer ahaed of the draft.

Not going anywhere this season but...

Of all the core players it would be in his best interest to leave from a monetary standpoint. Only 2 years left on his deal after this season. He's already given a big hometown discount and this will be the last contract to ring the bell in a big way.

They had a chance to trade AA without clauses kicking in last summer and didn't....He's on the same contract cycle as Hammer but-Who is going to pay AA more than $6 mill without Kane and AP at his side...Or even the same amount?? Can't see AA wanting to leave early.

Hammer can get a contract for close to $7 mill....Which would be a >40% raise.
Unless there is a drastic change in the cap structure, that's not happening here.
Hammer at a cap hit of $4 mill per for 2 more years is a valuable trade chip...One of the biggest bargains in the NHL.

The easiest way of the box for Bowman is if a core guy not named Toews or Kane wants a change of scenery....There's about $3 million reasons why Hammer could give his blessing to move on.

No other name player has as much to gain on his next deal as Hammer.
- Al

It hurts for the sole reason that at this juncture, Hammer is more effective than Seabs and a hobbled Keith right now.