Someone else mentioned Hayden on this board. Wow. What an improvement in his skating.

He split the defense up the middle and held the puck doing it for a shot. He has a pretty good wrister too. He's more physical this year. What impresses me most from him though is his settling into a role, intelligence out there, and his leadership.

This guy is legit and could easily swap with Hartman.

AA at his salary might be quite tradeable. I also wonder if he isn't playing through something. he wasn't slowing Kane and Panarin down last year that much.

Gotta see how Kero is, and also if AA is in fact nursing something, no one will trade for him unless it goes away quickly.
- John Jaeckel

From day 1 of the trade i wanted to believe he's a top 6 center, but i think you were right all along JJ, 3rd line center and i think the Hawks coaches have come around to it as well

Its nice to see Sharp and Saad, but man I'm still upset about Nik being traded

I do have to admit its nice to see some size on the ice for the Hawks looks like they have a nice mix of size and speed.

Anisimov is fine as a 3C on this team.

Is everyone forgetting that amazing cross ice off the boards pass he made to Sharp to set up our 5th goal against the Penguins? So its not like he hasn't done anything well.

Maybe its just that as a team(especially our top 9 forwards excluding AA) we've become so fast that its easier to notice the one guy that isn't.

Should we be worried about being out shot by Columbus? Or was this just a product of being up 3-0 and the Jackets playing catch up?

Anisimov is fine as a 3C on this team.

Is everyone forgetting that amazing cross ice off the boards pass he made to Sharp to set up our 5th goal against the Penguins? So its not like he hasn't done anything well.

Maybe its just that as a team(especially our top 9 forwards excluding AA) we've become so fast that its easier to notice the one guy that isn't.
- SimpleJack

A third line containing Sharp and Anisimov is pretty solid and nothing to complain about.

Great start so far but its 2 games at home 2 tough tests coming up toronto is a really good young team fast big but lacks experience did to me is thier weak point. JJ if AA would get traded won t kind of return would the hawks be looking for?

Anisimov is fine as a 3C on this team.

Is everyone forgetting that amazing cross ice off the boards pass he made to Sharp to set up our 5th goal against the Penguins? So its not like he hasn't done anything well.

Maybe its just that as a team(especially our top 9 forwards excluding AA) we've become so fast that its easier to notice the one guy that isn't.
- SimpleJack

He was actually fine as 2C on this team but possibly even better as 3C which gives you some really solid center depth for the first time since the 2015 playoffs.

Like you said he might be slow in comaprison to the other 8 guys in the top 9 but he's not really slow and certianly not as slow as Zus or Richards when they were here which some are making him out to be.

He's always been a defensvley responsible player so I'm not sure why some people are crow barring that into the narrative. It's just not true.

If there's a trade out there that actually makes the team better great but in the meantime AA will keep doing the things along the boards, down low, and in front of the net that don't always get noticed by some or on the scoresheet.

Seems like people are looking for things to female dog about in two lopsided wins.

That Forsling - Rutta pairing looks really good to be honest.
- DutchSenators

If they can continue to pull close to 20 minutes of ice time each per night, that'd be huge. They'll continue to develop as the season goes on at that rate.

AA at his salary might be quite tradeable. I also wonder if he isn't playing through something. he wasn't slowing Kane and Panarin down last year that much.

Gotta see how Kero is, and also if AA is in fact nursing something, no one will trade for him unless it goes away quickly.
- John Jaeckel

I know it's too early in the season for them to trade him (especially with the injuries to Kero and Schmaltz) but when the time comes do you think Vegas could be a trade partner and what do you see them looking for in return for AA (even if it's not Vegas)?

Ice Hogs recall Colin Delia from ECHL Indy Fuel - 38 save night on Friday.
http://www.icehogs.com/ne.../icehogs/?article_id=5777

The kids are really fun this year!

Could have won a lot of money at the sports books with a parlay of CHI, STL, LAK & VGK all winning their first two games.

We have 2 teams that have both scored 15 goals in their first 2 games, Monday should be a dandy either way.
- justmike

Hawks have given up 2 goals, TOR has 7 GA. Leaves are looking to win every game 7-6?

Traveling Jaegers getting interviewed on Flames TV when the real thing shows up with a signed Flames sweater for the new guy!
https://twitter.com/nhlfl...status/916874934185476096

I have to give credit where credit is due. The past 2 years the Hawks really struggled to be more than a one line scoring team in the playoffs.

Watching the Preds series i thought wow the Hawks got really slow and small considering all the liberties Subban was taking on Toews, among other players with no push back.

They went reshuffled the deck brought in past players that worked, got some size and speed, it may not work, but it's refreshing to see an organization realize something is not working and making moves to try to change for the better. Fingers crossed, it's a long season.

Hawks will get another5 goals vs Leafs. Maybe give up 2

Traveling Jaegers getting interviewed on Flames TV when the real thing shows up with a signed Flames sweater for the new guy!
https://twitter.com/nhlfl...status/916874934185476096
- Marlowe

He was actually fine as 2C on this team but possibly even better as 3C which gives you some really solid center depth for the first time since the 2015 playoffs.

Like you said he might be slow in comaprison to the other 8 guys in the top 9 but he's not really slow and certianly not as slow as Zus or Richards when they were here which some are making him out to be.

He's always been a defensvley responsible player so I'm not sure why some people are crow barring that into the narrative. It's just not true.

If there's a trade out there that actually makes the team better great but in the meantime AA will keep doing the things along the boards, down low, and in front of the net that don't always get noticed by some or on the scoresheet.

Seems like people are looking for things to female dog about in two lopsided wins.
- HawkintheD

I'm with you on this perspective. I don't see how Anisimov is already expendable and quickly evolved as a useless slug. He's not a speed demon but he's not slow either. A good skater overall.

Plus, he was a main reason why Kane and Panarin thrives the prior two seasons. I really don't believe they carried him as much as he helped create space for them to wheel and deal. He's not stellar at any one particular thing but he's generally a solid player who plays smart and dependably.

We have good -- and trending toward great -- center depth for the first time in a while so why would we trade Anisimov? He's paired well with Sharp so far as a dependable 3rd line. If both can be 0.50 PPG players, that's really good.

So far, so good.

I think the more aggressive/less passive approach is helping especially because the puck is getting out of the Hawks' zone pretty fast for the most part and staying at the other end (or going in the other net) a lot. That WILL change at some point and at times throughout the season.

Forsling had one of those moments at least last night where he overhandles the puck down low and gets in trouble. I don't think we know enough about Rutta yet to say much one way or the other. He seems to be making the NA ice sheet adjustment more quickly than Kempny did, FWIW.
- John Jaeckel

This lineup goes from 2 power forwards (Hartman and Panik - both essentially learning on the job) to Saad, Panik, Hartman, Hayden, Wingels, Bouma.... Sharp with a PF's attitude too (loved his shot on Dubinsky after his cheap shot on the rookie last night).

And don't underestimate the attitude shift back towards 15 with Saad and Sharp back in the room. Night and day difference in their carriage on the ice from round 1 to these first few games. Hopefully, that lasts for approximately 120 more.

Ice Hogs recall Colin Delia from ECHL Indy Fuel - 38 save night on Friday.
http://www.icehogs.com/ne.../icehogs/?article_id=5777

The kids are really fun this year!
- Marlowe

Didn't realize the AHL season started. Hogs blank the Monsters 4-0 behind Berube. Jurco with 3 points. Highmore and Pokka with 2 points each. Fortin with an assist.

The Hogs don't seem to have a captain but the A's are Hinostroza, Svedberg, and Gustafsson.

I know it's too early in the season for them to trade him (especially with the injuries to Kero and Schmaltz) but when the time comes do you think Vegas could be a trade partner and what do you see them looking for in return for AA (even if it's not Vegas)?
- blackhawks30

I think the Hawks are loving the depth at center. If AA is traded, I think it will be in the off season mainly for cap relief.

Someone else mentioned Hayden on this board. Wow. What an improvement in his skating.

He split the defense up the middle and held the puck doing it for a shot. He has a pretty good wrister too. He's more physical this year. What impresses me most from him though is his settling into a role, intelligence out there, and his leadership.

This guy is legit and could easily swap with Hartman.
- Bjm84

Been banging that drum for a year or more now. I never doubted he could do it. Just want him to keep it up. I could easily see him playing in the Top 9 should a player get banged up.

I think the Hawks are loving the depth at center. If AA is traded, I think it will be in the off season mainly for cap relief.
- tvetter

I agree, and the 3rd line is the best its been since Sharp was traded, which is a good thing for this team.

Congrats to Artem Anisimov! After 2 games in, you are this year's whipping boy!

There's got to be one right?

Hawks have given up 2 goals, TOR has 7 GA. Leaves are looking to win every game 7-6?
- scottak

leafs lead the league in blown 3-5 goal leads over the last 2-3 years...

they get very lazy and complacent and goaltending has been up and down to say the least...

2 teams putting up lots of goals, should be a barn burner....Hawks was always my second best team, good luck on the season.