Welcome back Mr. Kotter (Jaeckel)
- BGKarras

Does that make us all the Sweathogs?

He looked noticeably faster but the puck was still bouncing off his stick at times. I actually think he might figure a few things out give him 10-15 games. IN other news.... Mr. Panik oh my just ragdolling grown men off pucks. He also adsorbed a hit on one skate in the ozone and put a guy down. Any one else notice that? Think is was in the 2nd.
- bhawks2241

With Manchild and Panik on the wings, Toews may take less of a beating during the season and be ready for the post season. The last few years he was cross-checked to death in the crease. Not sure how anyone's back could withstand that...

You're ridiculous. The kid was positioned defensively very well all game and did plenty of things that don't show up on the score sheet. He's a 19 year old kid and that was his first NHL game. He played an overall sound game and is very poised for his age... the offense will come.
- SoftServe

Apologies, I didn't mean to come across as critical of ADB. I meant to say that I suspect that some of the verbal praise that we're seeing is part of a strategy to showcase some goods on their team in the event they want to upgrade any position of need (D, Duchene or other significant upgrade)? Yes, ADB is playing well but they need to showcase some of their young talent as they will have to give up if they want to get an upgrade, you know?

Anyhow, go Hawks, all good.

Apologies, I didn't mean to come across as critical of ADB. I meant to say that I suspect that some of the verbal praise that we're seeing is part of a strategy to showcase some goods on their team in the event they want to upgrade any position of need (D, Duchene or other significant upgrade)? Yes, ADB is playing well but they need to showcase some of their young talent as they will have to give up if they want to get an upgrade, you know?

Anyhow, go Hawks, all good.
- phantasmo

When has Q ever talked up a prospect or player for any reason other than he likes what he sees? Bowman, sure; but Q has been positively gushing about Debrincat's potential and it's not his style to blow hot air.

I don't doubt that if an upgrade on defense comes along that was the perfect, affordable fit that Debrincat could be going the other way, but let's not pretend they don't just like how Debrincat has looked.

Let me begin by prefacing my comment with full respect for what #87 has accomplished so far, but I must admit I take a all the delight possible when #19 goes against Cindy! Jumped on Pens early because it was there. plenty to look forward to I hope. #75 is still in my top five of most despised players in the NHL Want to also wish Eddie nothing but positive thoughts in his fight going forward.

I need people to not ignore the latter half of last year when talking about Toews.

Toews was about a PPG in the second half of last season.
- L_B_R

I agree with you. But you need to give up. Toews does not have the flash and scoring numbers of Kane and makes $10.5mil so he will not be appreciated on this site until he his holding another cup over his head.

oh boy Panarin must be squeezing his stick seeing the guy they replaced him with just got a hat trick....
- Alexzanki

Panarin will be great for you guys, don't worry about it. This will go down as a win/win trade.

Agreed that the defense wasn't all that tested last night. It was great to see 2 and 7 back together. Thought Mike Kempny had a solid outing. Hartman was both a beneficiary and a driver in my opinion. I say a driver because he was around the net and, not only him, but him and Schmaltz played a solid two way game.

Great to see Saad and Sharpie play up to tempo. Murphy had a couple of good hits in the D zone... also good to see.

Jackets are rolling with 4 rookies if I am not mistaken?? Dubois, Carlsson, Milano and somebody else. Also, no Jenner, which is going to sting.

Apologies, I didn't mean to come across as critical of ADB. I meant to say that I suspect that some of the verbal praise that we're seeing is part of a strategy to showcase some goods on their team in the event they want to upgrade any position of need (D, Duchene or other significant upgrade)? Yes, ADB is playing well but they need to showcase some of their young talent as they will have to give up if they want to get an upgrade, you know?

Anyhow, go Hawks, all good.
- phantasmo

After last night, what would you want to upgrade. I know it was only one game, but if it continues is there a need for any upgrades?

After last night, what would you want to upgrade. I know it was only one game, but if it continues is there a need for any upgrades?
- isu83boo

It was one game.... the first one of the season. Don't overestimate it's value.

I normally don't care much for discussing the schedule (I'm one of those "worry about who you are playing today guys). That said I find it a bit amusing that a lot of people were talking about how tough the first four games of the season were going to be hell going up against four playoff teams from last year.

The first two games are against teams that are on the second of B2B games. Not to mention my favorite refrain "every team is different every year".

Let's not get too high or low on this team. There will likely be games where Schmaltz gets pushed around, and the D looks terrible, and ADB looks way overmatched. Other games will look like last night. Buckle up! Thank goodness Hockey is back!

Agreed that the defense wasn't all that tested last night. It was great to see 2 and 7 back together. Thought Mike Kempny had a solid outing. Hartman was both a beneficiary and a driver in my opinion. I say a driver because he was around the net and, not only him, but him and Schmaltz played a solid two way game.

Great to see Saad and Sharpie play up to tempo. Murphy had a couple of good hits in the D zone... also good to see.

Jackets are rolling with 4 rookies if I am not mistaken?? Dubois, Carlsson, Milano and somebody else. Also, no Jenner, which is going to sting.
- 93Joe

Yes. Thank you Mr. Murphy for putting Malkin on his ass. He was being a d-bag the entire game, including the no call boarding in the first after Panik rag-dolled Letang off a puck at the blue line. If Panik wasn't so strong on his skates he probably smashes his head into the boards on that hit.

Agreed that the defense wasn't all that tested last night. It was great to see 2 and 7 back together. Thought Mike Kempny had a solid outing. Hartman was both a beneficiary and a driver in my opinion. I say a driver because he was around the net and, not only him, but him and Schmaltz played a solid two way game.

Great to see Saad and Sharpie play up to tempo. Murphy had a couple of good hits in the D zone... also good to see.

Jackets are rolling with 4 rookies if I am not mistaken?? Dubois, Carlsson, Milano and somebody else. Also, no Jenner, which is going to sting.
- 93Joe

I don't agree with the defense not being "tested" so to say. I think they played exactly how Bowman and Q wants them to play. That is getting the puck up the ice quickly and pushing the pace, and then pinching to try to keep the puck in the O-zone for as long and as much as possible. That is exactly the type of defenseman that Bowman went and acquired this offseason. I think they played very good last night. If they continue to be good at playing this way, they shouldn't get "tested" all that much...

19 is why Crosby was rather ghost like for most of the night. SMH!!!!
- dahawks8819

Toews and Crosby basically cancelled each other out last night.

I don't agree with the defense not being "tested" so to say. I think they played exactly how Bowman and Q wants them to play. That is getting the puck up the ice quickly and pushing the pace, and then pinching to try to keep the puck in the O-zone for as long and as much as possible. That is exactly the type of defenseman that Bowman went and acquired this offseason. I think they played very good last night. If they continue to be good at playing this way, they shouldn't get "tested" all that much...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Agreed. Crow just needs to be ready for the occasional odd man break. They will happen more often playing that aggressive of a style.

Not mentioned at all in the blog.

Only mention (almost in passing) in two or three of the posts here.

With all of f the gushing about Saad’s return, and Schmaltz, Hartman, Hayden, Panik....

What about by far the best player on the ice last nite - with a spectacular goal, several games outrageous passes leading to goals, five points, and completely controlling the ice whenever he had the puck - playing with two completely new line mates (one whom he wasn’t even combined with in preseason games)?

Only one game, but Kane may be reaching a new level of the game this year.

I don't agree with the defense not being "tested" so to say. I think they played exactly how Bowman and Q wants them to play. That is getting the puck up the ice quickly and pushing the pace, and then pinching to try to keep the puck in the O-zone for as long and as much as possible. That is exactly the type of defenseman that Bowman went and acquired this offseason. I think they played very good last night. If they continue to be good at playing this way, they shouldn't get "tested" all that much...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Yes and quickly cleared pressure away from Crawford all game.

It was one game.... the first one of the season. Don't overestimate it's value.
- BINGO!

Are you kidding? You have been visiting this site long enough. Overreacting based on one game or one shift is what we do. We are frickin crazy.

Are you kidding? You have been visiting this site long enough. Overreacting based on one game or one shift is what we do. We are frickin crazy.
- -Doh-

Not crazy - we’re fans.

Agreed. Crow just needs to be ready for the occasional odd man break. They will happen more often playing that aggressive of a style.
- bhawks2241

And that's why they can play that style. They have trust that Crow, more times than not, will make the stop on those odd man rushes. Yes, they will get scored on from time to time from those odd-mans, but they will overcome that with their offense.

Raise your hand if you saw that coming.

Can we hear from the posters that said we should model the Penguins.

Over hyped prospects Schmaltz (never gonna be a top 6, marginal NHL caliber), Hartman (not top 6), Hayden (too slow) did ok.

I thought the 4 young Dmen also did ok. Some nice hits in the corners and in front of the net. Maybe Ulfies influence. Still a lot of shaky plays.

Just one game. Early in the season. Against a team that played the night before. Against a team that played a lot of hockey in the last two years. Against a weak D and some poor goaltending. On home ice. But still not too shabby.

Fire Bowman and Q.
- -Doh-

Lets give it 20 games to groan or shower this team with a parade. IT was 1 game. They looked very good....I'm not concerned about their O. I think that will be solid.

Their D? That's the big question.........

Sorry for the long post...It was a great start but not time to get too far ahead of ourselves. I think that the Hawks did retool pretty well, but a big factor last night was fact that the Hawks had a long summer to stew on the playoff exit. I hope they can keep this momentum and confidence.

I've been promoting Schmaltz quite a bit based on what he was showing last season, but I think it is safe to say he exceeded pretty much anyone's expectations for game 1. I know he got a little dinged up, but that willingness to drive past the D is great. He did it more than once and he is just solid at carrying the puck into the zone with possession. That to me was the Pen's issue last night, is that they Hawks gained the zone almost effortlessly again and again. Wave after wave they had the puck in control on the attack. Will be a bit different against a team that defends their blue line better.

While he didn't factor in the scoring, I thought it wasn't a bad showing for ADB. He showed some quick hands a few times trying to make plays, but at time his skating/conditioning didn't look NHL level. That said, the 3rd line did get the most Dzone starts and didn't

Forsling was solid, but his knock is consistency, so hopefully he can string together multiple good games. I thought Rutta's only problem was that penalty, which means it was a pretty good game for his first real NHL game. He and Kempny seemed to direct a lot of pucks towards the net. Based on icetime Kempny and Murphy actually were the 3rd pair with 15 minutes a piece. I don't know how Keith was only credited with one giveaway, he had a few where he struggled moving the puck, but also made a couple nice defensive plays.

Line 4 wasn't flashy, but I thought they did their job and they drove the net and caused a bit of havoc, which was nice. Bouma to me still seems more useful than Tootoo in the lineup. He landed some hits, blocked a couple shots and he can play more than 5-6 minutes.

Can't wait to see how the next game goes.

Let's talk about the D?

Keith had some moments where he looked to be struggling a bit but was overall very good. I thought Seabrook looked good too(if he can stay in shape).

Was really impressed with Kempny, definitely showed a step or two forward. Forsling looked okay too, a few mistakes but some nice plays as well. Rutta, Oes were okay too.

Overall, I thought the defense pushed the puck up the ice quickly once they gained possession, made good passess, and stretched the ice deep and wide to create space for the Hawks speed players.

Thoughts?
- Bjm84

Oesterle was scratched. that was Forsling. I thought he looked better that he has as far as speed. He got back really quick on a couple plays. I thought Rutta did well to help the kid and just took a bad penalty and one weird bounce of a blocked puck that gave up an odd man. Pretty solid, but not a huge test. Murphy and Kempny looked really good as a 2nd pair. Quick, athletic, moved the puck and didn't give up any free space, plus Murphy dropped Malkin. Keith and Seabs were keith and Seabs. Solid, mistake free hockey, and 3 points for 7.

I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm given the Pens' obvious hangover but wow! I thought Schmaltz looked explosive, Panik was a monster, and Debrincat didn't have that "deer in the headlights" look that many mini 19 yr olds would have had. DBC has the skill, my questions for him were whether he had the toughness...perhaps he does. Hayden also looked solid. I'd like to get a look at Wingels on the 4th line but Bouma wasn't awful. As for the D, we'll see, but hopefully Ruuta and the other youngsters, especially Kempny looked pretty good.

Forgot to mention how much I like AA as the 3rd line C.

I don't agree with the defense not being "tested" so to say. I think they played exactly how Bowman and Q wants them to play. That is getting the puck up the ice quickly and pushing the pace, and then pinching to try to keep the puck in the O-zone for as long and as much as possible. That is exactly the type of defenseman that Bowman went and acquired this offseason. I think they played very good last night. If they continue to be good at playing this way, they shouldn't get "tested" all that much...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

The D and forwards worked well together on those quick ups and fast transition. They ended up not spending much time in their own end. The Pens had some moments and just missed on a few dangerous chances when the game could have turned, but in the end, it didn't.