Nice write up Justin.


Couple of questions you might be able to answer. With Johki being loaned out , is he still counted towards the cap and roster requirements?

Also dalhstom has been playing well and come January when the teams start back up after Christmas and these tournaments, Chicago is carrying way to many defenseman does anyone get sent back down or is a trade more likely ?

I mean I don't think it was intentional in the sense he raised it but the guy is an NHL player he knew what he was doing. He keeps the elbow up and turns as he knows Kruger cant check him without getting an elbow to the face. That isn't a normal stick handle move.

I'd call it the intentional unintentional elbow. Put it as another sports analogy, if I'm playing basketball and have my elbows up and see a guy running toward me I can't just turn into him with my elbow still up.

If that is a completely clean play then every d-men should just keep his elbows up at all times along the boards to avoid checks.
- bhawks2241

He is handling the puck. His elbow is where it needs to be to control his stick and the puck. Every move he makes with that arm is to control the puck. There are a dozen things Kruger can do on that play to avoid taking it in the face first. A correct check would have been properly angled and leading with his shoulder. If he had gone in at the right angle he would have made contact with one of his shoulders. He approaches almost as if to hug him, meaning his head is the contact point.

April Wine ( A good Canada band)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4W7TVaFc6c
- powerenforcer

I think you mean King Crimson?

Styx?
- I Am The Breadman

And Stones?

I think Kampf is Krugs replacement.
- I Am The Breadman

Absolutely.....and there was no reason for Bowman to bring Kruger back at a 2.7 cap hit when Kampf is developing into that role......Or was it a Quenneville gift ?
Either way......a HUGE mistake in the use of cap dollars, not to mention that Kruger hasn't been effective in 3 years with any team. I can't imagine any team wanting him at the deadline.

Just another BUST of a move by Bowman / McD.

And Hartman did change the position of his extended elbow by backing up into Kruger's path.
- StLBravesFan

Hartman moved his elbow into Kruger’s face as he moved his WHOLE BODY backwards and towards Kruger. Hartman would not be allowed to elbow someone like this aggressively moving foreward - makes no difference that he was aggressively moving backwards.

You get that, DK? Your boy is back in town!
- I Am The Breadman

The Strome-Anisimov-Kane line makes no sense long-term as they are all left shots. Strome and Kane seem to be developing chemistry but Strome simply has to be at C with the right-shooting Cat at LW. Gotta put that line back together and simply leave them alone to jell. Some of the line-blending just seems for the sake of it and puts Q to shame.
- Z3Hawk

That's the kiss of death for Strome.... expect him to be traded soon.

That's the kiss of death for Strome.... expect him to be traded soon.
- DarthKane

Sadly some fearful truth there.

👍Styx Started out as a garage band from Roseland, used to play a lot at Mendel high school back in the 70s
- wonthecup10

Was there often and played some hockey with John. RIP.

Fluke performance, greatly aided by the fact that Nashville was missing 3 of their top 5 players.

We’re still probably the worst team in the NHL and I still see no other logical option other than tanking. Hopefully we start losing again ASAP.

I think you mean King Crimson?
- paulr

21st Century Schizoid Man - from King Crimson’s first album Court of the Crimson King - what a freakin’ album.

That's the kiss of death for Strome.... expect him to be traded soon.
- DarthKane

Maybe IMO they were showcasing anismov for a trade or possible trade.

The whole line juggling is killing any chemistry these kids are trying to establish.

So the first sighting of a well played game most of the night in a long time.

I agree on Dahlstrom/Murphy showing signs of something decent on the back end to build on. Gus did not seem as helter skelter last night - more restrained and disciplined play, seeming to pick his spots to join the rush. Keith seemed engaged - likely because he had an inkling they might actually win the game.

I do think 12/17/88 need to be a thing and let them gel. I think with Kruger out we will see AA go where he is best slotted - as a 3C.

20 and 19 need a road grading RW on their line. No one on the roster fits that description.

Kahun and Kampf need to play together. They seem to have chemistry, they hustle, and typically are solid on the defensive side. Kahun is overslotted playing on Toews' line.

Ward still has game, but he's a bridge guy and won't be part of the long term.

Some things to like about last night for sure.

But....

As mentioned above, NSH without three REALLY good players in their lineup, playing second half of a back to back, and a terrible road team.

We are going to see the occasional 60 minute game from the Hawks, but they will revert more back to norm over the season, because let's face it - they are still largely an AHL team, whose AHL players are likely always going to be that.

Very few of the players we see today will be around if/when this team truly is rebuilt.

Hartman moved his elbow into Kruger’s face as he moved his WHOLE BODY backwards and towards Kruger. Hartman would not be allowed to elbow someone like this aggressively moving foreward - makes no difference that he was aggressively moving backwards.
- Z3Hawk

No he didn't. Watch the video. He is turning to spin up the boards. Look at his left skate and right side/shoulder and stick blade. Hartman is turning to his left to go up the boards. He pivots his left foot and is raising the right to crossover when Kruger impacts him. Kruger is at a poor angle and is leading with his chest trying to wrap him up as opposed to making a shoulder check

https://twitter.com/CMS_7...tatus/1075225321165742081

Yeah, and as far I know is still playing with the band.
- walleyeb1

Correct....but only fills in occasionally

I think Gus will keep getting minutes. Especially if he keeps scoring goals.

Even strength minutes per game by Hawks D under JC. (Some of this impacted by injuries)

Gus - 19:46
Keith - 19:26
Dahlstrom - 18:37
Forsling - 18:02
Murphy - 17:56
Joki - 16:40
Seabrook - 15:50
Rutta - 14:50
Manning - 13:07
Davidson - 11:57

With Davidson out and Rutta demoted...Manning riding pine... it could be Seabrook starting to see minutes in the pressbox more often once Joki is back. Seabs was low man on the minutes totem pole last night. Maybe if the Hawks can trade him they will take a bad contract back on a player that can at least play 3rd line forward, since we have so many D.

So the first sighting of a well played game most of the night in a long time.

I agree on Dahlstrom/Murphy showing signs of something decent on the back end to build on. Gus did not seem as helter skelter last night - more restrained and disciplined play, seeming to pick his spots to join the rush. Keith seemed engaged - likely because he had an inkling they might actually win the game.

I do think 12/17/88 need to be a thing and let them gel. I think with Kruger out we will see AA go where he is best slotted - as a 3C.

20 and 19 need a road grading RW on their line. No one on the roster fits that description.

Kahun and Kampf need to play together. They seem to have chemistry, they hustle, and typically are solid on the defensive side. Kahun is overslotted playing on Toews' line.

Ward still has game, but he's a bridge guy and won't be part of the long term.

Some things to like about last night for sure.

But....

As mentioned above, NSH without three REALLY good players in their lineup, playing second half of a back to back, and a terrible road team.

We are going to see the occasional 60 minute game from the Hawks, but they will revert more back to norm over the season, because let's face it - they are still largely an AHL team, whose AHL players are likely always going to be that.

Very few of the players we see today will be around if/when this team truly is rebuilt.
- Return of the Roar

Lets also not forget that Rinne had an excellent game last night. The Hawks could have easily had a couple of more goals last night.

Correct....but only fills in occasionally
- Hawkytalk

Last time I saw them he cameoed on Renegade and that was it.

There's alot of issues with the young guys meshing with Torts system. Wennberg, Anderson, Duclair has been in and out of the lineup in the last 10 then is thrown on the first line with Panarin day to day. He just seems like a guy that has unrealistic expectations.
- nickmo2699

Torts is a lunatic.

Absolutely.....and there was no reason for Bowman to bring Kruger back at a 2.7 cap hit when Kampf is developing into that role......Or was it a Quenneville gift ?
Either way......a HUGE mistake in the use of cap dollars, not to mention that Kruger hasn't been effective in 3 years with any team. I can't imagine any team wanting him at the deadline.

Just another BUST of a move by Bowman / McD.
- Hawkytalk

All of Stans off season moves are beyond awful , manning , Kunitz and Kruger.

Kunitz should never see the ice again in a Indian head sweater he is just horrible.

That’s what I’m thinking as well. While I don’t mind Kampf playing 3C short term now, I think he’d be a stellar 4C. While his defense is solid, his offense isn’t 3rd line caliber. With Kruger injured, though, Anisimov slots back in as 3C bumping Kampf down to 4th line.
- AEL_Fox

Agree. I want to see Strome as 2C and Arty as 3C.

Fluke performance, greatly aided by the fact that Nashville was missing 3 of their top 5 players.

We’re still probably the worst team in the NHL and I still see no other logical option other than tanking. Hopefully we start losing again ASAP.
- SimpleJack

You don't want a losing culture for the younger players. Look how that worked in Edmonton. I still want to see the Hawks play hard and as well as they possibly can and let the chips fall where they may.

I think Gus will keep getting minutes. Especially if he keeps scoring goals.

Even strength minutes per game by Hawks D under JC. (Some of this impacted by injuries)

Gus - 19:46
Keith - 19:26
Dahlstrom - 18:37
Forsling - 18:02
Murphy - 17:56
Joki - 16:40
Seabrook - 15:50
Rutta - 14:50
Manning - 13:07
Davidson - 11:57

With Davidson out and Rutta demoted...Manning riding pine... it could be Seabrook starting to see minutes in the pressbox more often once Joki is back. Seabs was low man on the minutes totem pole last night. Maybe if the Hawks can trade him they will take a bad contract back on a player that can at least play 3rd line forward, since we have so many D.
- breadbag

Seabs SHOULD be low man minutes wise. Anyone other than him with the string of poor games he has had recently would have already been press-boxed.

And Stones?
- Spec41971

Hahahaha!!!