If 4 is out for some time, they are in big trouble. 32 and 51 were disastrous last night, and cannot be relied upon against any decent NHL team.
- Hank_Greenberg

I am not disagreeing with you that missing Hjalmarsson for any length of time would be awful and that Campbell looks horrible most games. However we have a new higher standard of horrible this year. Campbell is getting paid $1.5mil (plus bonuses)has played in 59 games, has 4 goals and 11 assists playing 18+ minutes per game and is a plus 19. The plus 19 is the highest on the team and tied for 21st best in the league. Last year we did not have one player that was a plus 19. We would have been thrilled with those numbers and that cap hit in previous years. But this year we bad mouth it.

Agree. I can't wait to see what this kid, who turned 21 yesterday, becomes in a year or two.
- BMWChiFan

Me too, could be really solid.

He should become better and better as he gets stronger, more conditioned and gets some experience. I've been "pro-schmaltz" since camp and I really like the plays he makes when he gets the puck on his stick. Once he has it in the defensive zone he seems to be good at transitioning to the attack. I think he is one of the better Hawks at carrying the puck into the offensive zone and maintaining possession.

The thing I don't understand is if he was questionable, why even bother to put him out there. Especially in a game like that, really doesn't make sense. If they're contemplating putting him on LTIR, we'll know soon.
- walleyeb1

My guess is that it isn't that serious, or he never would have dressed in the first place. Why jump to speculation re LTIR?

The thing I don't understand is if he was questionable, why even bother to put him out there. Especially in a game like that, really doesn't make sense. If they're contemplating putting him on LTIR, we'll know soon.
- walleyeb1

It's probably minor then. Hammer likely thought rest from practice would be fine and then it ended up not being fine. He gave it a shot.

The thing I don't understand is if he was questionable, why even bother to put him out there. Especially in a game like that, really doesn't make sense. If they're contemplating putting him on LTIR, we'll know soon.
- walleyeb1

Agree Walleyeb1, makes no sense whatsoever. Play 3 shifts and 3min or so. And risk further injury? Ugh. But then again, the coaching staff and trainers are closer to the situation so perhaps I should cool my jets but a game against the Yotes in Feb is as near to the definition of a meaningless game as I can think of.

He certainly doesn't look shy with contact or unable to get business done along the boards.

Hey who could have predicted each and every one of the Penquin call-ups would show no fear and just play the game?
- wiz1901

Definitely improving but to me that has been the part of his game in need of the most improvement.

Liking Boedker as a short term rental versus liking his as a long term acquisition are two different things. At $4 million (or even $3 million) Boedker isn't worth it because that would precipitate other moves to open up the required cap space for next season.

Boedker's 19 points are less than Harmtan's on only 3 more than Schmaltz even with 17 more games played.
- DarthKane

All valid points. Just relating what I've heard, not offering a "they should" opinion. And like I said, I've not heard his name all year.

Boedker hasn't been in a playoff game since 2011-12 season. The same is true of Martin Hanzal. So both are veterans who have become used to losing and lack the playoff experience valued by many on this board. Hawks should pass on both of them.
- BMWChiFan

By the same logic, they should pass on Jack Eichel.

And based on what I heard about ten minutes ago, the Hawks are not "turned off" by the AZ loser mentality. Talks progressed yesterday re: Hanzal. Not a done deal, but may happen.

Pass on Boedker

He showed in Colorado, now San Jose, that his play was a mirage in Arizona

10 goals in 77 games since leaving the desert

Darn....I need to start posting at night....I miss all the fun and a Ogi sighting.

--Hammer: back issue, and encouraging is that he tried to play so it can't be overly bad....however, guessing it locked up on him that last shift. This guy has to be as close to 100% as possible. Your BEST defensive, defensemen.

--Keith: ugh....another blah game. See above, but for all the pomp and cheerleading about being the best D man since Lidstrom, he gets back doored way too often. His defensive awareness and concentration is off.

--Hawks need D help...badly. We can all sit here and rave about the goals....for a long period of time they couldn't score, and now they can. As someone pointed out since CC had his surgery he hasn't been the same. Nor has the Hawks D. Maybe CC was hiding that early on......just maybe? bottom line, they need another D man. Rozsival is DONE. Kempny is prove to mistakes. Remember, another fresh faced D man turned over the puck leading to Brouwer's game winner last spring....think the coaches haven't forgotten that?

--Loved the post on the money for top D men....and people moan about Seabrooks deal. Now 19 is everyones love child after hitting the skids due to overwork (world cup of hockey) and having a back issue. Notice how long it took him to GET right? Fear the Hammer could be going down that path......I am 110% against NHLers going to the Olympics or World Cup. Guys bodies are breaking down....2/4/19...for sure.

--Lastly please start resting the top guys. You aren't passing Minnesota. You have 1 more game against them on 3/12. After that if you are still 6 pts or more out AND they have games in hand...take your foot off the gas and stop winning battles that could lose you the war (playoffs) by taxing your top guys. Instead, focus on the big prize and get these guys as close to 100% as possible.

If you don't think so.....who is the EASIEST out for the Hawks come April.......LA, Flames, Jets, Preds, Blues? I don't see a gimmee on that list............

Fair point and I can't say I disagree. The Hawks already will have a few guys on the roster without playoff experience, adding more would be a risk.
- DarthKane

Oh, I get it now. So guys with years of NHL experience but no playoff experience "negate" the line of thinking that Schmaltz might not be playoff ready?

Ehhh, not really. Because it's also about physical maturity and just years of experience in the NHL. Whatever. Believe what you want.

I go by what I hear, and sometimes I don't agree with it either. But it is what it is.

By the same logic, they should pass on Jack Eichel.

And based on what I heard about ten minutes ago, the Hawks are not "turned off" by the AZ loser mentality. Talks progressed yesterday re: Hanzal. Not a done deal, but may happen.
- John Jaeckel

IF Hammer's back requires weeks and NOT days......may go bigger then just Hanzal. See if they IR Hammer today and start banking cap dollars.

I'd say that's a bit optimistic. He's coming along, but I don't think he's fully arrived.
- JRoenick97

Fully arrived....no, but is he the best option they have to play along Toews right now?....maybe. He has the top 6 skill to play with #19 and generate offense. Even if the Hawks pick up a player at the deadline here, a lot of what they can afford are 3rd line guys who may not be an upgrade in the skill dept. That all changes if the Hawks hit a homerun on a new LW and depends on what holes are in the lineup from any roster players that could be moved.

I don't think Q will break up Schmaltz-Toews-Panik unless someone is injured or the line goes cold, or the Hawks start losing. They been juggling that top line for a long time and it is clicking at the moment and now the Hawks are lucky enough to roll out a guy like Hossa on line 3 where he can be a 2-way beast.

Fully arrived....no, but is he the best option they have to play along Toews right now?....maybe. He has the top 6 skill to play with #19 and generate offense. Even if the Hawks pick up a player at the deadline here, a lot of what they can afford are 3rd line guys who may not be an upgrade in the skill dept. That all changes if the Hawks hit a homerun on a new LW and depends on what holes are in the lineup from any roster players that could be moved.

I don't think Q will break up Schmaltz-Toews-Panik unless someone is injured or the line goes cold, or the Hawks start losing. They been juggling that top line for a long time and it is clicking at the moment and now the Hawks are lucky enough to roll out a guy like Hossa on line 3 where he can be a 2-way beast.
- breadbag

I like him. A lot, actually. He's getting confident and has some clear skill. I don't think they should break up that top line, and if they do, it should be Hossa coming up to take Paniks spot, unless Schmaltz disappears.

IF Hammer's back requires weeks and NOT days......may go bigger then just Hanzal. See if they IR Hammer today and start banking cap dollars.
- SteveRain

I'm just guessing that since he was good enough to take warm ups and attempt to play last night, he is more likely to be day to day. Obviously that could change, but I'd assume the injury isn't major.

IF Hammer's back requires weeks and NOT days......may go bigger then just Hanzal. See if they IR Hammer today and start banking cap dollars.
- SteveRain

That is potentially a serious issue, could change a lot of things.

I'll just add, I heard nothing this AM about it from someone who would know, and knows Hammer personally pretty well.

I

Did

Present

Facts

Such as, "Hawks have been around 7th-8th in GA all season long, and even better at 5v5."

Used plenty of logic too. Other posters also presented other facts as to why this recent increase in GA shouldn't be worrisome.

I think you guys must have skipped through all the facts and only focused on the part where I called him consistently negative(which he is). Oh well, wouldn't be the first time.
- SimpleJack

I

Did

Present

Facts

Such as, "Hawks have been around 7th-8th in GA all season long, and even better at 5v5."

Used plenty of logic too. Other posters also presented other facts as to why this recent increase in GA shouldn't be worrisome.

I think you guys must have skipped through all the facts and only focused on the part where I called him consistently negative(which he is). Oh well, wouldn't be the first time.
- SimpleJack

I'll get someone else to decide it. Glad to in fact.

That is potentially a serious issue, could change a lot of things.

I'll just add, I heard nothing this AM about it from someone who would know, and knows Hammer personally pretty well.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah.....they can't lose 4.

Agree with other poster about him trying to play, but see above post. They are trying to win the battle instead of focusing on the war. Stupid. If a guy has a bad back, he sits. Look how long it took 19 to get right......weeks.

There is NO gimmee out in the west......1, 2, 3 seed....it doesn't matter in the central. STL, Nash, LA, Cal, WPG all will give this team a TOUGH series. Not saying the Hawks will lose, but it's not the 2013 Wild they are looking to face...........

Darn....I need to start posting at night....I miss all the fun and a Ogi sighting.

--Hammer: back issue, and encouraging is that he tried to play so it can't be overly bad....however, guessing it locked up on him that last shift. This guy has to be as close to 100% as possible. Your BEST defensive, defensemen.

--Keith: ugh....another blah game. See above, but for all the pomp and cheerleading about being the best D man since Lidstrom, he gets back doored way too often. His defensive awareness and concentration is off.

--Hawks need D help...badly. We can all sit here and rave about the goals....for a long period of time they couldn't score, and now they can. As someone pointed out since CC had his surgery he hasn't been the same. Nor has the Hawks D. Maybe CC was hiding that early on......just maybe? bottom line, they need another D man. Rozsival is DONE. Kempny is prove to mistakes. Remember, another fresh faced D man turned over the puck leading to Brouwer's game winner last spring....think the coaches haven't forgotten that?

--Loved the post on the money for top D men....and people moan about Seabrooks deal. Now 19 is everyones love child after hitting the skids due to overwork (world cup of hockey) and having a back issue. Notice how long it took him to GET right? Fear the Hammer could be going down that path......I am 110% against NHLers going to the Olympics or World Cup. Guys bodies are breaking down....2/4/19...for sure.

--Lastly please start resting the top guys. You aren't passing Minnesota. You have 1 more game against them on 3/12. After that if you are still 6 pts or more out AND they have games in hand...take your foot off the gas and stop winning battles that could lose you the war (playoffs) by taxing your top guys. Instead, focus on the big prize and get these guys as close to 100% as possible.

If you don't think so.....who is the EASIEST out for the Hawks come April.......LA, Flames, Jets, Preds, Blues? I don't see a gimmee on that list............
- SteveRain

Agree Steve, no gimmees on that list, as there hardly ever are come playoff time. A goalie can steal a 7 game series for sure. And saving some tread on those tires isn't a bad idea either. Especially #2, shave a minute or two every game adds up I would think.

In the same context, I wonder why Pops method of giving guys a game or two off in the regular season has not caught on in the NHL. I mean, the NHL is just as much or even more so a grind then the NBA. Hell LeBron has taken a couple off and I believe Curry and some other Warriors have too.

My guess the answer may lie in the culture of never taking a day, game, period or shift off that is woven into the culture of hockey.

Oh, I get it now. So guys with years of NHL experience but no playoff experience "negate" the line of thinking that Schmaltz might not be playoff ready?

Ehhh, not really. Because it's also about physical maturity and just years of experience in the NHL. Whatever. Believe what you want.

I go by what I hear, and sometimes I don't agree with it either. But it is what it is.
- John Jaeckel

John...I am stating my opinion (which was in agreement with another poster), as you said that is what we do here. At no point did I question what you were hearing or cast any doubt on what you were reporting.

My point was the likes of Schmaltz, Hinostroza, Kero, Hartman, Rasmussen and Kempny have no NHL playoff experience. Adding another player to the team without playoff experience (or limited experience) is a risk, that's not to say it won't work out, but it's a risk. Ideally the team can find a forward or d-man who has some experience to help (along with the core) to balance off the rookies.

Don't really think this impacts this year, but still an interesting development:

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

The Athletic: Maxim Shalunov’s agent has said that the he could join the Blackhawks for the playoffs.

Aivis Kalnins: There a possibility that Shalunov could sign with the Blackhawks before March 1st.

Aivis Kalnins: Shalunov was expected to moved to a top KHL team, but something went wrong and team acquired another prospect. The Blackhawks are now an option of Shalunov.

Agree Steve, no gimmees on that list, as there hardly ever are come playoff time. A goalie can steal a 7 game series for sure. And saving some tread on those tires isn't a bad idea either. Especially #2, shave a minute or two every game adds up I would think.

In the same context, I wonder why Pops method of giving guys a game or two off in the regular season has not caught on in the NHL. I mean, the NHL is just as much or even more so a grind then the NBA. Hell LeBron has taken a couple off and I believe Curry and some other Warriors have too.

My guess the answer may lie in the culture of never taking a day, game, period or shift off that is woven into the culture of hockey.
- ILGolfer

Last night was moronic. No way should Hammer have played .None. That's on Terry....that's on Q.......If you can't beat Arizona without 4, you have bigger issues.

The guy is always going to try and play, but the coach and doctors need to step in and stop him.....

Agreed.....rest 2/4/7/19/81 for sure. 88 for whatever reason never gets tired or beat up as badly. Those 5 guys you will need flying high....

And here's the other thing.....hawks JUST had a break....and even after that break Hammer's back is still jacked up.......what does that tell us?

Maybe Hjalmarsson was fine before the game and got injured during the game. Maybe there is really nothing more to it, as is the case with most injuries.

I'm willing to bet the reason Roszival was playing is because he has been vocal about wanting to get out there and play. They likely picked last nights game because it was a game against a very bad hockey team and would be the best way to get him comfortable after a long layoff.

Don't really think this impacts this year, but still an interesting development:

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

The Athletic: Maxim Shalunov’s agent has said that the he could join the Blackhawks for the playoffs.

Aivis Kalnins: There a possibility that Shalunov could sign with the Blackhawks before March 1st.

Aivis Kalnins: Shalunov was expected to moved to a top KHL team, but something went wrong and team acquired another prospect. The Blackhawks are now an option of Shalunov.
- walleyeb1

Could help for depth, if nothing else. Could be a trade where a couple guys go and could use him. Won't hold my breath.