Boqvist with the OT winner
- DarthKane

Bittersweet as a USAer, but here's the vid:

https://twitter.com/Steve...tatus/1079256117774041088

Big OT night for the Hawks of present (Kane), future (Boqvist) and past (Schmaltz).

Oh I agree on the division ,so the HAWKS should be able to get it going against the Pacific and east . And I believe HAWKS could get in the playoffs, if they continue to get the goaltending .Delia seem to have a very unique calm style ,may not be very easy for foe to figure out .
- oldduffman

Let's just try to get to 500 first. Team is young and the true mark of a pro is consistency, and half the kids are not there yet. Only way they get there is experience.

Big OT night for the Hawks of present (Kane), future (Boqvist) and past (Schmaltz).
- DarthKane

It's a Christmas Carol miracle

Ward will probably get the start, Delia deserves it on NYD

Ward will probably get the start, Delia deserves it on NYD
- BetweenTheDots

Agree on both points.

I respect your opinion but disagree with it. The coach’s only concern should be fielding the best team, and I feel that means putting Delia in net. I could agree with your concept of ward being rewarded as a vet near the end of his career if that career had him playing for the hawks for the majority of his career. Ward is a one or two year rental not owed anything beyond what’s written into his contract. I would rather see the start go to Delia because I believe he has earned it.
- Spec41971

Agree 100%. Give Delia experience in a "big game" -- it can only help his development regardless of the outcome.
For all you sentimentalists about Ward, please don't complain about Seeb's albatross contract, which was also emotion-based.

Agree 100%. Give Delia experience in a "big game" -- it can only help his development regardless of the outcome.
For all you sentimentalists about Ward, please don't complain about Seeb's albatross contract, which was also emotion-based.
- BMWChiFan

As well as he's played in his short stint with the team, I would give Delia the net; however, I understand why some would call for Ward. Plus, there is a huge difference between 1 game and 7 years.

As well as he's played in his short stint with the team, I would give Delia the net; however, I understand why some would call for Ward. Plus, there is a huge difference between 1 game and 7 years.
- tvetter

Let's see if JC lives up to his statement after the Wild game that his goalie decisions going forward would be "based on performance."

Is it just me because I do not see anyone else commenting on this?

But just what is Sikura offering this team? He does not appear to be a factor no matter where he is placed in the lineup. I think we would be better served by having Martenson in the lineup and giving Sikura more ice time and seasoning in Rockford.

Maybe that’s why I am so wishy-washy with Coach C..... I was wishy-washy with the Tom Keen character; liked him in one episode and then hated him in the next
- Spec41971

LOL...

On the WC - open & shut Dahlia should start.

Question
If the Hawks battle back into playoff contention how does their standing effect the trade deadline moves?

Clearly 2 weeks ago it was sell the farm.
I think by late February the Hawks will still be out of the playoff race but I’m curious what people think and what management might think.

Let's see if JC lives up to his statement after the Wild game that his goalie decisions going forward would be "based on performance."
- BMWChiFan

I think he will give Delia the game , it all about winning .

Is it just me because I do not see anyone else commenting on this?

But just what is Sikura offering this team? He does not appear to be a factor no matter where he is placed in the lineup. I think we would be better served by having Martenson in the lineup and giving Sikura more ice time and seasoning in Rockford.
- 67hawks

I agree the kid quick, but that's been about it time to sit or go back down . Martenson on the 4th with Hayden gives the HAWKS some push back .

The team has clearly found its legs and some chemistry. This makes them a dangerous team.

Delia is the real deal(ia), has the intangibles you want in a young goalie. Reminds me a little of Jonathon Quick. Just a gamer.

PP clearly better without Kieth. The more Gus plays, the better it gets. He not only sees plays, he can actually shoot. Maybe he can be traded for a 2nd or 3rd?

Dahlstrom and Murphy will continue to get better. Big defensive pair.

Strome has been a pleasant surprise. Fitting in nice.

Perlini will be an asset before too long.

The roster is being built to play fast. The Hawks have clearly been more difficult to play against of late. This is something that would never have happened with Q. Hence no Kunitz or Manning.

I expect Sikura and Perlini to start chipping in more. Once this occurs, you will have a much deeper team than the arm chair GMS on board believe we have.

Agree 100%. Give Delia experience in a "big game" -- it can only help his development regardless of the outcome.
For all you sentimentalists about Ward, please don't complain about Seeb's albatross contract, which was also emotion-based.
- BMWChiFan

Dude, apples and oranges. Ward is a one year stop gap. Even if they paid him 8 mil it would have no effect on the future of this franchise. Seabrooks contract is a team killer.

I think he will give Delia the game , it all about winning .
- oldduffman

A lot of outdoor games end up played out on crappy ice. I would also consider more size in the lineup including Martenson in place of Sikura and Manning in place of Forsling. I know that the Manning suggestion will draw the ire of his haters but when you are shovelling snow out there, speed and skill tend to be negated. You also do not want to expose your smaller players to potential injury as with Kane's high ankle sprain in one of those games way back.

Off topic... Doesn't Coach Colliton look like Tom Keen from the Blacklist 🤔
- BGKarras

When he does an interview with the black glasses on I think of the Sherman and Peabody cartoon.

A game like this is a special event even if it's getting old. I'd split the game for the goalies and let them both participate.

Considering games in hand (the Hawks are the first team to 41 this season) - Hawks are effectively 9 points out of the last spot - with 4 teams to pass.

And - Blues and Coyotes behind them with 5 and 4 games in hand.

A very distant chance, I think.

Some excellent goaltending the last 9 games still leaves them with some serious flaws - defensive lapses, lack of depth scoring....can’t expect to allow less than three goals in 5 of 6 the rest of the season.
- StLBravesFan

Worst case scenario is we just miss the playoffs. Winning these games is great but it's true, these serious flaws are still here. That said, I like winning lol.

Having an effective powerplay can somewhat negate the lack of scoring depth... As last night showed.

The Hawks were NEVER going to only get 40 points on the season, there is too much parity in the league. Beating an over-rated, badly slumping Rockies team who has one line is the tonic expected to grab a few extra wins along the way. If it turns into a huge streak and a playoff push? Great. But I fear it may eventually give the Hawks something like the 7th overall pick, missing on one of those two game changers at the top of the draft.

That said, the defense has been a huge improvement and with Delia looking solid that should give the Hawks a fighting chance in most games.

The team has clearly found its legs and some chemistry. This makes them a dangerous team.

Delia is the real deal(ia), has the intangibles you want in a young goalie. Reminds me a little of Jonathon Quick. Just a gamer.

PP clearly better without Kieth. The more Gus plays, the better it gets. He not only sees plays, he can actually shoot. Maybe he can be traded for a 2nd or 3rd?

Dahlstrom and Murphy will continue to get better. Big defensive pair.

Strome has been a pleasant surprise. Fitting in nice.

Perlini will be an asset before too long.

The roster is being built to play fast. The Hawks have clearly been more difficult to play against of late. This is something that would never have happened with Q. Hence no Kunitz or Manning.

I expect Sikura and Perlini to start chipping in more. Once this occurs, you will have a much deeper team than the arm chair GMS on board believe we have.
- TrueGrit

I agree with most of this - but why move Gus for a 2nd or 3rd?

Defensemen who can shoot, score, pass, see plays, “point” the PP are not very common. Why not let him continue to develop his defensive skills (or, more to the point, work with him to develop his defensive skills) and turn him into a quality skater from the blue line?

The team has clearly found its legs and some chemistry. This makes them a dangerous team.

Delia is the real deal(ia), has the intangibles you want in a young goalie. Reminds me a little of Jonathon Quick. Just a gamer.

PP clearly better without Kieth. The more Gus plays, the better it gets. He not only sees plays, he can actually shoot. Maybe he can be traded for a 2nd or 3rd?

Dahlstrom and Murphy will continue to get better. Big defensive pair.

Strome has been a pleasant surprise. Fitting in nice.

Perlini will be an asset before too long.

The roster is being built to play fast. The Hawks have clearly been more difficult to play against of late. This is something that would never have happened with Q. Hence no Kunitz or Manning.

I expect Sikura and Perlini to start chipping in more. Once this occurs, you will have a much deeper team than the arm chair GMS on board believe we have.
- TrueGrit

Sarcasm? I’m wondering why people suggest trading away the one true PP QB we’ve had in a while. Obviously, it’s not like they grow on trees. I know we have a lot of offensive prospects in the system, but this guy is actually producing.

I agree with most of this - but why move Gus for a 2nd or 3rd?

Defensemen who can shoot, score, pass, see plays, “point” the PP are not very common. Why not let him continue to develop his defensive skills (or, more to the point, work with him to develop his defensive skills) and turn him into a quality skater from the blue line?
- StLBravesFan

Beat me to it.

Sarcasm? I’m wondering why people suggest trading away the one true PP QB we’ve had in a while. Obviously, it’s not like they grow on trees. I know we have a lot of offensive prospects in the system, but this guy is actually producing.
- Chunk

Wasn't there some rumors a couple years back where Yzerman wanted Gustaffson as part of a Drouin deal? May tell you StevieY saw something in him back then that we're now realizing.

Gus can be had, but it would take a big haul, 26 year old PPQB D-men don't come cheap, especially considering he could be a part of the Hawks next run.