That is going farher than I intended with my comments. Not that it isn't a valid point. My observation is merely that we need many players who to some extent will battle for pucks and throw s check. And at least a few who will stick up for teamattes or whack someone if the other team is doing likewise. I am not into the Broad Street Bullies dogma but I do subscribe to being able to live up to this: when the going gets tough, the tough are going to bring it. I am not in revelry mood but i do appreciate when I see players trying hard, being responsible well rounded players.
- jhawk59

So you're thinking more strong, power forward kind of guy rather than tough, checking, agitating kind of guy. I can get behind that.

I would sign all the RFAs, they are assets and there's no reason to lose them for nothing. Hartman may be a streaky forward, but I want him on the team, I think he's a very good third line utility winger.

I would see our lines next year as:

DeBrincat - Toews - Duclair
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Sikura - Anisimov - Hartman
Hinostroza - Kampf - Hayden
Kero, Jurco

These lines have some decent promise, the bigger and more pressing matter is the defense.

Keith - Oesterle
Forsling - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Murphy

I'd really like to see upgrades over Gustafsson and Oesterle.
- DarthKane

I would like to ask wiz for some perspective on Rutta. I am hopeful that L Carlsson and Tuulola turn out better than some of the others we have in the pipeline. I am not enthusiastic over the good and bad that is the mark on Krys. I have a suspicion that Jokiharju could be traded in order to move up and (Please) draft a power forward like B Tkzchuk.

I would sign all the RFAs, they are assets and there's no reason to lose them for nothing. Hartman may be a streaky forward, but I want him on the team, I think he's a very good third line utility winger.

I would see our lines next year as:

DeBrincat - Toews - Duclair
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Sikura - Anisimov - Hartman
Hinostroza - Kampf - Hayden
Kero, Jurco

These lines have some decent promise, the bigger and more pressing matter is the defense.

Keith - Oesterle
Forsling - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Murphy

I'd really like to see upgrades over Gustafsson and Oesterle.
- DarthKane

I don't understand the impatience with these two. (In the sense that I do not understand how defensemen develop)

For Oesterle to basically show up as a top-pairing defenseman after playing predominantly AHL minutes for Edmonton is amazing. Players like Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson each spent between one and three years in the minors developing after they were drafted. At $650K, I want him exactly where he is learning from Keith and playing against top-line players.

Gustafsson being trusted with power play is another good sign, no?

I don't understand the impatience with these two. (In the sense that I do not understand how defensemen develop)

For Oesterle to basically show up as a top-pairing defenseman after playing predominantly AHL minutes for Edmonton is amazing. Players like Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson each spent between one and three years in the minors developing after they were drafted. At $650K, I want him exactly where he is learning from Keith and playing against top-line players.

Gustafsson being trusted with power play is another good sign, no?
- TexasHawk

They are both basically rookies at this point. Gus has looked pretty damn good since his call up. Oesterle is great offensively, just needs to work on his own zone more. They both can be good d-men in the future. Oesterle has the most 5v5 ice time last night and Gus had 3rd most. Safe to say Q likes them.

I don't understand the impatience with these two. (In the sense that I do not understand how defensemen develop)

For Oesterle to basically show up as a top-pairing defenseman after playing predominantly AHL minutes for Edmonton is amazing. Players like Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson each spent between one and three years in the minors developing after they were drafted. At $650K, I want him exactly where he is learning from Keith and playing against top-line players.

Gustafsson being trusted with power play is another good sign, no?
- TexasHawk

It's not a matter of impatience, they're just the easiest spots to upgrade. Keith and Seabrook aren't going anywhere but they are declining. Murphy is solid and while Forsling has shown potential he's not a lock to be a top 4 d-man. But he's shown enough that I would pencil him into the team's future.

Gustafsson and Oesterle haven't been bad, I just think the team needs a legit top 4 d-man next season.

Criticizing their play is 100% acceptable and should be done. The constant repetition of "he's done, trade him" though is pretty ridiculous. It's been half a bad season where every player has had good and bad games. Dumping a guy and blaming him for the team struggling is a stupid idea. Guys age, new guys have to adapt. The team is capable of putting up a great game, they just aren't consistent. Giv ethe new guys a year or 2 before trying to dump off guys who just barely turned 30 calling them "done/"

That last sentence is very silly.
- JRoenick97

The only reason for a he's done trade him statement is that it come's with a rebuild
solution for a team that's not ready to challenge for the Cup.

I was impressed that Keith's very first touch was against an opponent, maybe the
rest of the team picked up on that also?

Sometimes I think those guys follow what's being said here as all day yesterday it
was on Keith to do something and then wallah, he hit's a guy and score's to bad
though the ref's messed that up also.

So in the last 3 games a hand pass not called, a icing not called and a phantom
GI called, one has to love the NHL's let's get it right meme.


And fan's of today are not quite up to yesterday's fan that reside at the old barn
that was the only real "Madhouse".

They are both basically rookies at this point. Gus has looked pretty damn good since his call-up. Oesterle is great offensively, just needs to work in his own zone more. They both can be good d-men in the future.
- JRoenick97

Ok, so would it be appropriate to read the desire for upgrades on these two as a desire for more experience?

I imagine our next few games against the preds and other central division opponents would be a litmus test of sorts for these two young players. Right or wrong, I would actually love to see how some of these first-year and second-year pros perform in a playoff series this year.

That is going farher than I intended with my comments. Not that it isn't a valid point. My observation is merely that we need many players who to some extent will battle for pucks and throw s check. And at least a few who will stick up for teamattes or whack someone if the other team is doing likewise. I am not into the Broad Street Bullies dogma but I do subscribe to being able to live up to this: when the going gets tough, the tough are going to bring it. I am not in revelry mood but i do appreciate when I see players trying hard, being responsible well rounded players.
- jhawk59

Yep this

Ok, so would it be appropriate to read the desire for upgrades on these two as a desire for more experience?

I imagine our next few games against the preds and other central division opponents would be a litmus test of sorts for these two young players. Right or wrong, I would actually love to see how some of these first-year and second-year pros perform in a playoff series this year.
- TexasHawk

I was simply pointing out how well they've looked for that. That does not stop me from also wanting a top 4 upgrade. I'm jsut extra impressed with Gus especially, since he seemed to take a huge confidence hit after 2015 and spent a whole year in the AHL. He's come back with a vengeance. Small sample size still, though.

I would sign all the RFAs, they are assets and there's no reason to lose them for nothing. Hartman may be a streaky forward, but I want him on the team, I think he's a very good third line utility winger.

I would see our lines next year as:

DeBrincat - Toews - Duclair
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Sikura - Anisimov - Hartman
Hinostroza - Kampf - Hayden
Kero, Jurco

These lines have some decent promise, the bigger and more pressing matter is the defense.



Keith - Oesterle
Forsling - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Murphy

I'd really like to see upgrades over Gustafsson and Oesterle.
- DarthKane

Might make sense, and have more of the focus on the D--that needs to be changed from current options.

That is going farher than I intended with my comments. Not that it isn't a valid point. My observation is merely that we need many players who to some extent will battle for pucks and throw s check. And at least a few who will stick up for teamattes or whack someone if the other team is doing likewise. I am not into the Broad Street Bullies dogma but I do subscribe to being able to live up to this: when the going gets tough, the tough are going to bring it. I am not in revelry mood but i do appreciate when I see players trying hard, being responsible well rounded players.
- jhawk59

Anyone know anything about Andreas Martinsen down with the Hogs? I know he has some NHL experience and he's a pretty big at 6'3 229lbs (19pts in 40 games so far). Him and Hayden would be a pretty formidable 4th line duo perhaps.

They are both basically rookies at this point. Gus has looked pretty damn good since his call up. Oesterle is great offensively, just needs to work on his own zone more. They both can be good d-men in the future. Oesterle has the most 5v5 ice time last night and Gus had 3rd most. Safe to say Q likes them.
- JRoenick97

Come on JR. Oesterle “just needs to work on his own zone more”? This is sort of a huge issue given that he is a D-Man with absolutely no clue how to play defence. Pairing him with Keith is insane too as Keith has always played a cheating, reckless game and excelled at it because of the protection of players like Hammer and Seabrook. Oesterle is not protecting anyone, he can’t even protect himself. He actually should be in Rockford and if he is to be with Hawks he should be protected on a 3rd pair at most with his ice-time low.

Just because Oesterle plays top pairing minutes, doesn't mean he's a top pairing defenceman. He is out of position -specifically in his own zone - a lot. Keith is left to over compensate, looks like he's running around and gets bashed.

Oesterle fits the Hawks system because he can share and is a decent puck mover, but IMO lacks a ton in his own zone.

Gustafson and Kempney - both are #7-8 defenceman (on a contending team), at best. They lack between the ears and it's obvious. While they may have physical tools...mentally they are lacking.

Come on JR. Oesterle “just needs to work on his own zone more”? This is sort of a huge issue given that he is a D-Man with absolutely no clue how to play defence. Pairing him with Keith is insane too as Keith has always played a cheating, reckless game and excelled at it because of the protection of players like Hammer and Seabrook. Oesterle is not protecting anyone, he can’t even protect himself. He actually should be in Rockford and if he is to be with Hawks he should be protected on a 3rd pair at most with his ice-time low.
- Z3Hawk

While I wouldn't say he has "no clue" I do think the Hawks could use a Dman who is more the complete package for the top pair. That is the difficult part. There are plenty of guys who have part of it down, but to have the guy that can do most things well is so important for the pair that plays the big minutes. That used to be the strength of a guy like Seabrook in his prime. He was never really elite at any one thing, but he could do pretty much everything better than average.

Come on JR. Oesterle “just needs to work on his own zone more”? This is sort of a huge issue given that he is a D-Man with absolutely no clue how to play defence. Pairing him with Keith is insane too as Keith has always played a cheating, reckless game and excelled at it because of the protection of players like Hammer and Seabrook. Oesterle is not protecting anyone, he can’t even protect himself. He actually should be in Rockford and if he is to be with Hawks he should be protected on a 3rd pair at most with his ice-time low.
- Z3Hawk

He's got plenty of clues how to play defense, he just needs to adapt to the faster game. He's a very inexperienced offensive defenseman. People used to say the same poop about Karlsson for god's sake. It's not like he can't paly defense, he just isn't a top pair defenseman until he cleans up he defensive play.

Just because Oesterle plays top pairing minutes, doesn't mean he's a top pairing defenceman. He is out of position -specifically in his own zone - a lot. Keith is left to over compensate, looks like he's running around and gets bashed.

Oesterle fits the Hawks system because he can share and is a decent puck mover, but IMO lacks a ton in his own zone.

Gustafson and Kempney - both are #7-8 defenceman (on a contending team), at best. They lack between the ears and it's obvious. While they may have physical tools...mentally they are lacking.
- PatShart

I agree an Kempny, but Gus has been good in his 3 game audition so far. His past games, yes, absolutely, but not this year, yet.

@jaeckel

As reported a few weeks ago, hearing increased TOI for Kempny (and Gustafsson) is because both are being shopped. One or the other "likely" to be moved before the DL.

After watching last nights game and enjoying the scoring I realized what the Hawks need to improve. ITs not a replacing any player or GM.

Its a friggen passing coach. Every one of those back passes are now sniffed out by the defenders, twice a player forchecking drifted back and nearly intercepted the dumb pass.

Soft passes, especially in zone the defenders are trying to pass the puck 3 feet to a covered defender - turnover city.

Outlet passes - does anyone recall earlier in 2's career he would fling an outlet pass in to danger areas. The entire D seems to have picked up that wonderful habit

Passing to Kane - it seems on zone entry especially 8 will try to force a pass to Kane even if three guys are hanging on him (as I would do) resulting in a turnover.

Get a passing coach, reteach tape to tape an stop the dumb passes. Also, move Kane out to the blueline post zone entry, let him beavertail his stick into the ice until it shatters. He will draw defenders opening up the entire O zone. Just ignore him and attack. I know this is over simplification, however the game is about creating space, trying to squeeze the puck through 2 defenders in a 10 foot radius does not work. Once teams get wind that Kane is no longer considered the only option on every entry they may drop off him a bit again. Just my $0.02
- riozzo

Believe me I am with you - I have called the passing problems possibly the Hawks’ number one problem.

The passing problem, at its worst, has a player with a great opportunity to shoot deciding to pass instead, usually a completely reckless pass that results in no shot or a very poor shot. The Hawks’ coaches should be be losing their minds over passes to players who are not OPEN. No matter who you are trying to pass to you can’t accomplish it if the player is not OPEN. Doesn’t matter if this player is Kane, if Kane is not OPEN, irrelevant that it Kane.

Presently, the Hawks players have a problem distinguishing between being selfish and being foolish. When you are open for a good shot on goal it is not selfish to take the shot. So many positives possible - goalie let’s in or big rebound to name two. Over-passing when combined with the Hawks propensity to get shots blocked and shoot shots wide gives a huge indication the trouble the Hawks have been having scoring is largely self-inflicted.

He's got plenty of clues how to play defense, he just needs to adapt to the faster game. He's a very inexperienced offensive defenseman. People used to say the same poop about Karlsson for god's sake. It's not like he can't paly defense, he just isn't a top pair defenseman until he cleans up he defensive play.
- JRoenick97

I'd really like to see more complementing skill sets in the defense pairs. Why not have the offensive rover style guys playing with the defensive minded stay at home guys in the top 4?

Keith-Murphy
Forsling/Oesterle-Seabrook

@jaeckel

As reported a few weeks ago, hearing increased TOI for Kempny (and Gustafsson) is because both are being shopped. One or the other "likely" to be moved before the DL.
- JRoenick97

Maybe Stan can find another diamond in the rough like Panik or Forsling in a trade involving Kempny or Gustaffson.

I'd really like to see more complementing skill sets in the defense pairs. Why not have the offensive rover style guys playing with the defensive minded stay at home guys in the top 4?

Keith-Murphy
Forsling/Oesterle-Seabrook
- EnzoD

This i agree with 100%. The Seabs-Gustafsson pair has been doing well, actually.

@jaeckel

As reported a few weeks ago, hearing increased TOI for Kempny (and Gustafsson) is because both are being shopped. One or the other "likely" to be moved before the DL.
- JRoenick97

I pretty much assumed this....same with Jurco.

He's got plenty of clues how to play defense, he just needs to adapt to the faster game. He's a very inexperienced offensive defenseman. People used to say the same poop about Karlsson for god's sake. It's not like he can't paly defense, he just isn't a top pair defenseman until he cleans up he defensive play.
- JRoenick97

You should read what you posted - it could have been from me. Once “he cleans up his defensive play” he’ll be a D-Man. Right now we both agree that he is awful, which means he should not be playing.

This i agree with 100%. The Seabs-Gustafsson pair has been doing well, actually.
- JRoenick97

I think it comes down to Q not trusting either Murphy or Seabs to defend against top lines, whether it's due to Seabrook's mobility or Murphy's perceived inexperience/mistakes. Oesterle and Keith are both plus skaters and can stay with the high end forwards skating wise, but they are both very similar in terms of build and physicality. I think you see so many prime looks in the slot against that pair as neither Keith nor Oesterle are effective at clearing their man from the crease. Look no further than the big bodied Mantha outmuscling Oesterle on the PP for the easy tip in late last game. We can sit here and debate whether Oesterle is a Top 4 D or not, but based on Q's usage, he likes what he's seen so far. Oz played 4 more minutes than Keith last night (26 minutes +) and I really like what he brings in the O-zone and moving the puck up ice.

Just because Oesterle plays top pairing minutes, doesn't mean he's a top pairing defenceman. He is out of position -specifically in his own zone - a lot. Keith is left to over compensate, looks like he's running around and gets bashed.

Oesterle fits the Hawks system because he can share and is a decent puck mover, but IMO lacks a ton in his own zone.

Gustafson and Kempney - both are #7-8 defenceman (on a contending team), at best. They lack between the ears and it's obvious. While they may have physical tools...mentally they are lacking.
- PatShart

All anybody has to do is focus on Gustaffson when the play is in the Hawk's zone and the other team has possession. What you see is a player with no idea how to defend, position himself or use the body effectively on an opponent to break up plays or win back the puck. His game is strictly for offence. He does a very decent job on the point trying to filter pucks thru to the net.

Kempny has some size, a shot and aggressiveness but after 1-1/2 years still gets caught out of position almost every shift because he overplays the puck, meaning he can't anticipate or read plays so he gets burned a lot.

WHen the HAwks had Oduya, Leddy and Keith they has the best left side defence in the NHL. Now they are one of the worst.