Did anyone else notice late in the game Toews push DuClair to force him to be in the correct defensive position?People can female dog and moan all they want about Toews but he still has some pretty solid intangibles even if it does'nt add up to 10.5 mil.He will make the Duke a better player and management made them locker room neighbors for a reason.

Justin or anyone one observation I took and would like the hawks to stop doing is always looking for a tic tak toe goal especially kane and smaltz shoot the puck play north south game shoot the puck crash the net playing for playoffs lives in my opinion should be the mindset. D looked better for most of the game wouldn't mine if they input some sort of modify trap to offset d zone pressure. Still have my doubts that this team can make the playoffs but we'll see. Now question is what does Bowman do
at the TDL to continue doing trades like the duclair trade but need a young leddy type d man, so my question to the panel do trade dcat for a top 3 d man that is a leddy type player puckmoving great skater that skate the puck out of trouble push the pace make end to end rushes and quarterback a pp .
- Scott1977

I'd say no. One because ADB is a 20 year old rookie putting up good numbers and will be something special, and because a top 3 puck mover isn't going to be available. MAYBE Mike Green, but I don't like his play much in his own end. I'd like to see them ride Gustafsson out a bit more because he looks a lot like Leddy did when he was younger, just without the elite speed.

Justin or anyone one observation I took and would like the hawks to stop doing is always looking for a tic tak toe goal especially kane and smaltz shoot the puck play north south game shoot the puck crash the net playing for playoffs lives in my opinion should be the mindset. D looked better for most of the game wouldn't mine if they input some sort of modify trap to offset d zone pressure. Still have my doubts that this team can make the playoffs but we'll see. Now question is what does Bowman do
at the TDL to continue doing trades like the duclair trade but need a young leddy type d man, so my question to the panel do trade dcat for a top 3 d man that is a leddy type player puckmoving great skater that skate the puck out of trouble push the pace make end to end rushes and quarterback a pp .
- Scott1977

Would like to see Hayden play on line with Kane. Could they make it work even just occasionally

1). MARKSROM is a large size goalie who appears to finally be trending (trending? Ok moving) from prospect to NHL goalkeeper.

2)..The Sedin sisters have a new stud offensive rookie in Boeser. And they are not playing as a threesome line. The Canucks sure look like an overachieving team. Oh they have Horvat too.
- jhawk59

I'm not a big fan Markstrom, at best he's an NHL back-up goalie. He'll have stretches where he's ok but I wouldn't rely on him for long-term success.

Boeser is the real deal, that kid is amazing and he's only going to get better. I'm a big fan of Horvat too, he would be an ideal second line centre on most teams.

DK said: Guys that I think are 50/50 to return are Gustafsson, Duclair, Jurco.

I say: I think Duclair is better than 50/50 to return - he is RFA, should be able to bridge him at an affordable cap hit, Q likes him enough to put him with Toews and AdB (and I think Q is better than 50/50 to return next year), and I see not only speed but good hands and vision. If he can figure out how to finish....

Did anyone else notice late in the game Toews push DuClair to force him to be in the correct defensive position?People can female dog and moan all they want about Toews but he still has some pretty solid intangibles even if it does'nt add up to 10.5 mil.He will make the Duke a better player and management made them locker room neighbors for a reason.
- eagle50

The Toews hate is overblown here. Toews is still a number 1 center on any team that doesn't have a superstar center. He used to be a dominant force, but now he's just "really good" He's still shutting guys down, even better than last year, in my opinion. He just shut down Auston Matthews a week ago, and did pretty well against Johansen until the 3rd (like the whole team) this last game. He just doesn't really out muscle guys anymore, which is likely a byproduct of him getting lighter and faster. He's never been an offensive force, just a complete player, and he's looking good with 2 kids on his wings.

Would like to see Hayden play on line with Kane. Could they make it work even just occasionally
- jhawk59

I think Hayden is a guy who can move up and down the lineup like Shaw could. He's got decent offensive instincts and can adapt to play with a lot of guys.

I'd say no. One because ADB is a 20 year old rookie putting up good numbers and will be something special, and because a top 3 puck mover isn't going to be available. MAYBE Mike Green, but I don't like his play much in his own end. I'd like to see them ride Gustafsson out a bit more because he looks a lot like Leddy did when he was younger, just without the elite speed.
- JRoenick97

There are more really good offensive style dmen prospects in the pipeline. And I hesitate trading a young great talent while he has yet to blossom. We have another card to play after this season if Sikura is tops talent too.

https://www.naturalstattr...eason=20172018&game=20768

Interesting to see how almost exactly even this game was until the 3rd period last night. I haven't seen the Hawks get a lead and "weather the storm" like that for a long time.

DK said: Guys that I think are 50/50 to return are Gustafsson, Duclair, Jurco.

I say: I think Duclair is better than 50/50 to return - he is RFA, should be able to bridge him at an affordable cap hit, Q likes him enough to put him with Toews and AdB (and I think Q is better than 50/50 to return next year), and I see not only speed but good hands and vision. If he can figure out how to finish....
- StLBravesFan

Fair enough, maybe Duclair is 75/25 in favour of returning. It also depends on his contract expectations. Would Duclair by the top RFA priority? Not in my books, I would sign the RFAs in the following order:

Hartman
Hinostroza
Hayden
Duclair
Jurco
Gustafsson
Pokka
Clendenning

Schmaltz isn't an RFA this summer but he can be re-signed early, I would consider before signing Duclair.

On an interesting note, Duclair, Jurco, Hinostroza, Gustafsson, Hayden, Clendenning and Pokka all have arbitration rights (according to capfriendly.com).

I'm not a big fan Markstrom, at best he's an NHL back-up goalie. He'll have stretches where he's ok but I wouldn't rely on him for long-term success.

Boeser is the real deal, that kid is amazing and he's only going to get better. I'm a big fan of Horvat too, he would be an ideal second line centre on most teams.
- DarthKane

Markstrom is a big target. Well so too is Rhinne and others.

Fair enough, maybe Duclair is 75/25 in favour of returning. It also depends on his contract expectations. Would Duclair by the top RFA priority? Not in my books, I would sign the RFAs in the following order:

Hartman
Hinostroza
Hayden
Duclair
Jurco
Gustafsson
Pokka
Clendenning

Schmaltz isn't an RFA this summer but he can be re-signed early, I would consider before signing Duclair.

On an interesting note, Duclair, Jurco, Hinostroza, Gustafsson, Hayden, Clendenning and Pokka all have arbitration rights (according to capfriendly.com).
- DarthKane

I'd put Gus above Jurco. Jurco doesn't bring anything special to me. he's been playing well lately, but nothing that can't be replaced. Puck moving d-men are more valuable to me. I think I'd move Hayden to the number 1 slot too, swap Hartman with him.

Can't deny that budding chemistry/connection between Gust and Kane on the ice.

Can't deny that budding chemistry/connection between Gust and Kane on the ice.
- Hank3Henshaw

That is evident, and Seabs and him have looked pretty good together.

The increase in team speed from last year to this is remarkable.

The 1st and 2nd year NHLers are having their growing pains, showing flashes and then some rough spots. If they can claw their way into the playoffs, they could wreck some havoc. I'd love them to take on Vegas in the 1st round.

Now, if they could bring Hossa back for the stretch run...

I think Hayden is a guy who can move up and down the lineup like Shaw could. He's got decent offensive instincts and can adapt to play with a lot of guys.
- JRoenick97

Plus he is tough and we need more of that.

good win...call it a forsberg goalie win....after the 1st period he once again faced a shooting gallery of high quality chances and was outstanding and a few post hits didn't hurt...

despite the positves the negatives hang in there: to many high danger sog's against another plus 40 night...preds controlled the the o-zone the entire 3rd period...

saad and toews once again scratch on the scoring sheet; yes toews fancy stats are quite good as is the overall team play in the o-zone...

but asking forsberg, glass or even craw to face that type of onslaught (as they been asked to do numerous times) is a losing proposition...

I think there is to much youth, experience and lack of team cohesion for the defensive issues to be resolved this year...

great win...but they need to keep it going: not all the teams they are chasing are going to lose together and tis the season of the 3 pts game: aves got a point last night, ducks got a win, wild got 2 in shoot out...
- bogiedoc

Shots were 13-13 in the 2nd period as well. Lot's of quality chances on both sides. They sat on the lead in the last 10 minutes of the 3rd.

I believe the Hawks had more shots in the 2nd period too.
- scottak

It was even 13-13*. The third was 22-9, but only 1 more high danger shot (at 5v5) than the second period. Hawks D did a great job of keeping them to the perimeter even with that boat load of shots. Forsberg did an amazing job, especially on that 3rd period power play.

Edited for clarity.

It was even 8-8
- JRoenick97

Actually 13-13, I just checked.

Actually 13-13, I just checked.
- scottak

You're right, was thinking the first period which was 8-9

You're right, was thinking the first period which was 8-9
- JRoenick97

You are correct sir

My guess Gus, Jurco, Duclair all return they are worth more to our team attempting to play in the NHL for the hawks then they would be on the trade market. Why would they not return. only Duke would be over $1mil. ($1.5 or so).

Also I think Bouma gets waived to bring Sikura up IMO. They are probably keeping him there until they have to make a move.

1). MARKSROM is a large size goalie who appears to finally be trending (trending? Ok moving) from prospect to NHL goalkeeper.

2)..The Sedin sisters have a new stud offensive rookie in Boeser. And they are not playing as a threesome line. The Canucks sure look like an overachieving team. Oh they have Horvat too.
- jhawk59

Sweet dig bro

Creepy gingers - weird twins - I feel like there are numerous other digs you can take at them without making a stupid gender based insult that shouldn't be tolerated at this point in time.

Fair enough, maybe Duclair is 75/25 in favour of returning. It also depends on his contract expectations. Would Duclair by the top RFA priority? Not in my books, I would sign the RFAs in the following order:

Hartman
Hinostroza
Hayden
Duclair
Jurco
Gustafsson
Pokka
Clendenning

Schmaltz isn't an RFA this summer but he can be re-signed early, I would consider before signing Duclair.

On an interesting note, Duclair, Jurco, Hinostroza, Gustafsson, Hayden, Clendenning and Pokka all have arbitration rights (according to capfriendly.com).
- DarthKane

Based on where he is playing and how effective he has been, I think Duclair might be near the top of that list for Stan. He has been fore-checking well and chasing down pucks, breaking up plays in the middle and adding some extra attack on the rush. I just have the feeling that if he keeps being effective in the top 6, they will lock him up.

My guess Gus, Jurco, Duclair all return they are worth more to our team attempting to play in the NHL for the hawks then they would be on the trade market. Why would they not return. only Duke would be over $1mil. ($1.5 or so).

Also I think Bouma gets waived to bring Sikura up IMO. They are probably keeping him there until they have to make a move.
- kmw4631

i dont know much about Sikura...all i read is that he will be on the team late season - is he that good?