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

The Hawks have have played reasonably well for the past two weeks, yes it's very promising and much more fun to watch, but way too early to classify the team as dangerous.

How many games has Delia played? Three! And you see him as the real deal?

Yes Gus can shoot and he makes some great plays when he has the puck. But he also has many brainfarts, makes poor decisions and is defensively suspect. I still see some upside but not if the holes in his game aren't addressed.

The Hawks need at least 30 games before we talk about them being dangerous, Delia needs at least a full season before proclaiming he's the "real deal" and let's also give Gus a season before saying he's anything more than a prospect with good offensive instincts.

The Hawks have have played reasonably well for the past two weeks, yes it's very promising and much more fun to watch, but way too early to classify the team as dangerous.

How many games has Delia played? Three! And you see him as the real deal?

Yes Gus can shoot and he makes some great plays when he has the puck. But he also has many brainfarts, makes poor decisions and is defensively suspect. I still see some upside but not if the holes in his game aren't addressed.

The Hawks need at least 30 games before we talk about them being dangerous, Delia needs at least a full season before proclaiming he's the "real deal" and let's also give Gus a season before saying he's anything more than a prospect with good offensive instincts.
- paulr

Good post, agree

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

Totally agree. What he is providing now is what you would expect from a 2nd or 3rd round player, and those are hit-or-miss as to whether they will actually produce. I feel Gus provides value the way he is playing. Coaching should be able to help smooth out or eliminate some of his bad points.

The coaching staff gives him important minutes, he kills penalties and he was on the ice in the last minutes in a one goal game against the Swiss. He's not flashy, he grinds up and down his wing, he plays the body, he's strong on this skates, he always seems to position himself between his zone and the puck when the opposition are in control and he is scoring important goals.
- paulr

Helpful post, Paul. Have not seen a full CAN game yet but this is the kind of info I look for...... Seems the kid accepts and plays to a role. Seems so easy but so few, or not enough, especially on the Hawks, can do this.

A player with his size/skill who accepts coaching and a role can be a big part of a successful NHL club.

Looking like a real NHL Team & improving
- Scoring first goal
- Winning puck battles
- Crisp passes
- Moving the puck from their end up the glass not up the middle
- Power Play is better based on 2 & 3
- Back checking improved
- Keith looks like Keith
- Dahlia looks in balance
- Colbyboy

A system, structure, 60ish minute efforts, roles coached and executed and buy in? Seeds planted?

Had an awesome view of that Entwhistle goal. Love the way this guy plays.
- Justin Lowe

Is he playing center or wing?

And Strome's awareness of Kane to his right to get that puck out of the crease and over to him was also impressive.
- pdx2ord

Having seen Strome a bit now with his less than average skating it's his vision/IQ/awareness that has gotten him his success and drafted #3. Add his size, willingness to play in the corners and crease to his vision he has a chance to be a plus NHLer.

Top 6 centers are so hard to get, especially ones with size this kid is a real nice prospect to have. If his floor is an Adam Lowry the Hawks have a center for 10+ yrs.

yes...there has been a significant improvement in the hawks play both in compete and playing 60 minute games over the last 3 weeks...

however foley pointed out how far this team has fallen and how poorly they have played with their 2018 record: 31 wins in 86 games maybe a 10 of those wins were in OT or shoot outs.

That my fellow posters is 20 regulation wins in 86 games = the worst team in the league for all 2018...

Having seen Strome a bit now with his less than average skating it's his vision/IQ/awareness that has gotten him his success and drafted #3. Add his size, willingness to play in the corners and crease to his vision he has a chance to be a plus NHLer.

Top 6 centers are so hard to get, especially ones with size this kid is a real nice prospect to have. If his floor is an Adam Lowry the Hawks have a center for 10+ yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

It's also nice when him and Toews are in the O zone for a face off and Toews gets kicked out of the dot, seen this several times and more times than not wins the faceoff, last night on a PP draw

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

You know me, I am an ass, I had to throw that in there after listening to that for the last 3 months....

He is part of long term solution here.

Its nice hawks are playing better they look faster more engaged across the whole team. Nice postive run of late, but the same issues are stil there still not very good in the d zone but marginal improvement. Lack of bottom six scoring pp and pk of late are incrementally better but still very bad. So a question to the panel is better the hawks are starting to come together as a team and winning of late and possibly turn the corner or is better they lose and finish on the bottom 5 of the league and get a top 5 pick for the future and overall big picture going forward for this organization? For me its the latter and pains to say it being a die hard hawks fan but rather see them finish in the bottom 5 of the league get a impact player and trade keith AA and rebuild so another 10 years of success can happen. Plus this could be quick turn around if the right moves trades and signings happen. Thoughts?

The Hawks have have played reasonably well for the past two weeks, yes it's very promising and much more fun to watch, but way too early to classify the team as dangerous.

How many games has Delia played? Three! And you see him as the real deal?

Yes Gus can shoot and he makes some great plays when he has the puck. But he also has many brainfarts, makes poor decisions and is defensively suspect. I still see some upside but not if the holes in his game aren't addressed.

The Hawks need at least 30 games before we talk about them being dangerous, Delia needs at least a full season before proclaiming he's the "real deal" and let's also give Gus a season before saying he's anything more than a prospect with good offensive instincts.
- paulr

I hear what you are saying but with any young player i look for flashes and those windows have shown me how good players can be. I can see Delia being the Hawks goalie of the future but it's a long road to becoming a professional player. I'll say this if they trade Delia i will be very very upset. Now a lot of people will jump down my throat for this comment but from what I've seen from Delia at his age compared to CC at the same age Delia is ahead of CC at relative ages. Will he become as good as CC? I hope so. Does he have a chance to be better than CC? It's possible, but then again something could happen and he's out of the league in 4 years. Am i excited about Delia and his potential, you betcha

The Hawks have have played reasonably well for the past two weeks, yes it's very promising and much more fun to watch, but way too early to classify the team as dangerous.

How many games has Delia played? Three! And you see him as the real deal?

Yes Gus can shoot and he makes some great plays when he has the puck. But he also has many brainfarts, makes poor decisions and is defensively suspect. I still see some upside but not if the holes in his game aren't addressed.

The Hawks need at least 30 games before we talk about them being dangerous, Delia needs at least a full season before proclaiming he's the "real deal" and let's also give Gus a season before saying he's anything more than a prospect with good offensive instincts.
- paulr

I only say dangerous because of the championship pedigree. A few more wins and consistent play will prove the bottom is in. While I know most need to see a guy produce 4 years in the AHL before being optimistic, I am going to go out on a limb and predict Sikura and Perlini begin chipping in offensively. As that occurs, the team steps up a notch and dare I say, becomes dangerous.

I really only needed to see a game and a half of Delia. He clearly energizes the team, and while things may play out differently, he appears to have a rare quality.

My Gus comment was sarcasm. I said in September, if the team will be good, Gus will be a big part of it. There is no question Gus makes his share of mistakes, I just fail to see how different they are then mistakes made by others, both in quantity and quality. Playing with Keith makes both of them better.

I respect the long term approach to things you suggest, I just assume most of that goes without saying. In the mean time, I am going to be optimistic. The sky is falling hyperbole that echoes post after post is not my cup of tea. As you clearly know and it is illustrated by your post. You are one of the few that understands how thin the margins are from elite teams to real good teams to playoff teams to almost playoff teams.

Say what you like about dangerous or not, if this team rattles off another 4 or 5 wins everyone in hockey will be talking about it and that sort of things becomes a self fulfilling prophesy. I am not into the discounting of wins vs opponents.

Having seen Strome a bit now with his less than average skating it's his vision/IQ/awareness that has gotten him his success and drafted #3. Add his size, willingness to play in the corners and crease to his vision he has a chance to be a plus NHLer.

Top 6 centers are so hard to get, especially ones with size this kid is a real nice prospect to have. If his floor is an Adam Lowry the Hawks have a center for 10+ yrs.
- Mr Ricochet

I expect him the look better on the ice next season. Summer with Dcat and the Hawks training staff. Dcat has a lot more jump than last year and strength.

He has so much offensive instinct. He knows where to go with and without the puck. More importantly he knows where to go with the puck to set up good offensive possession. Both Kane goals last night were created by Strome.

On that 5 on 5 goal he drove center ice with the puck opening up ice for Anisimov and Kane. He then had the offensive instinct to drop a perfect pass to Anisimov and then continue to the net allowing Kane to open up for a wide open one timer. That’s what a good big top 6 offensive center does.

Kid hasn’t played a full NHL season either. I’d be shocked next season if he’s not a 60pt plus center for Kane. Get those 2 a real top 6 winger and look out (not to rip Anisimov he’s looked good there and has had some serious jump and some physicality).

You know me, I am an ass, I had to throw that in there after listening to that for the last 3 months....

He is part of long term solution here.
- TrueGrit

Well, possibly half right on that one....



I think Gus is certainly in the mix for the future - can’t discount his evident skills.

I only say dangerous because of the championship pedigree. A few more wins and consistent play will prove the bottom is in. While I know most need to see a guy produce 4 years in the AHL before being optimistic, I am going to go out on a limb and predict Sikura and Perlini begin chipping in offensively. As that occurs, the team steps up a notch and dare I say, becomes dangerous.

I really only needed to see a game and a half of Delia. He clearly energizes the team, and while things may play out differently, he appears to have a rare quality.

My Gus comment was sarcasm. I said in September, if the team will be good, Gus will be a big part of it. There is no question Gus makes his share of mistakes, I just fail to see how different they are then mistakes made by others, both in quantity and quality. Playing with Keith makes both of them better.

I respect the long term approach to things you suggest, I just assume most of that goes without saying. In the mean time, I am going to be optimistic. The sky is falling hyperbole that echoes post after post is not my cup of tea. As you clearly know and it is illustrated by your post. You are one of the few that understands how thin the margins are from elite teams to real good teams to playoff teams to almost playoff teams.

Say what you like about dangerous or not, if this team rattles off another 4 or 5 wins everyone in hockey will be talking about it and that sort of things becomes a self fulfilling prophesy. I am not into the discounting of wins vs opponents.
- TrueGrit

Keith does look better with Gus. He actually differs to Gus on offense and doesn’t worry about carrying the puck. Stay at home Keith of sorts is what he should be at this age. He doesn’t and really can’t drive the offense from the back end anymore, which is what he did for the Hawks for the cup years. He was the engine that stirred this team. He can still be a really good D men but having Gus to carry the puck and drive the offense allows him to sit back more.

Its nice hawks are playing better they look faster more engaged across the whole team. Nice postive run of late, but the same issues are stil there still not very good in the d zone but marginal improvement. Lack of bottom six scoring pp and pk of late are incrementally better but still very bad. So a question to the panel is better the hawks are starting to come together as a team and winning of late and possibly turn the corner or is better they lose and finish on the bottom 5 of the league and get a top 5 pick for the future and overall big picture going forward for this organization? For me its the latter and pains to say it being a die hard hawks fan but rather see them finish in the bottom 5 of the league get a impact player and trade keith AA and rebuild so another 10 years of success can happen. Plus this could be quick turn around if the right moves trades and signings happen. Thoughts?
- Scott1977

I'm in total agreement with you but it's near impossible to root against them.

We're all programmed for excellence with the last 10 years. However, the fastest way to get this team back to CUP contention is to move guys that still have a high return. Guys like Keith, AA, and Crawford (if he can come back) will be in demand at the deadline from teams that need the experience.
Holding on to veterans too long will be a mistake. This is the year to start the rebuild and it can happen quickly if done correctly. NO to remodel, YES to rebuild.
This is not a playoff team this year.
Let the kids develop and trade for the future.

The biggest question is WHO will take charge of it ???

TRADE HIGH !!

FLA trades Alex Petrovic to EDM for Chris Wideman and a third round draft pick.

EDM has two third-round picks in 2019. FLA will get the better of the two picks. So, for now, it will be a conditional third round pick.

Another nice thing to see in the last 10 games is this team isn't so contact averse. Seems more players are playing a contact sport. Even Arty last night having a cross checking battle with the Avs dman. Nice to finally see some push back. That's how you beat the Avs as well, no clear path to the o zone

Can someone explain to me why after the Landeskog double-minor penalty near the end of regulation, why the face-off was in the neutral zone and not in Colorado's zone? Pat ans Eddie never mentioned it, and I was wondering. Thanks

Another nice thing to see in the last 10 games is this team isn't so contact averse. Seems more players are playing a contact sport. Even Arty last night having a cross checking battle with the Avs dman. Nice to finally see some push back. That's how you beat the Avs as well, no clear path to the o zone
- BetweenTheDots

Agree. The Hawks have exhibited more push back and physicality during this last stretch of games and hope it is part of their DNA moving forward. I've noticed it generally from the team overall but especially from players who in the past would've been pushovers.

Anisimov as you pointed out exchanged cross checks. Forsling got in a tussle with fellow countryman Landeskog. And Gustafsson tangled with both MacKinnon and Dries (possibly a 3rd Av too). Loved how Gustafsson gave MacKinnon the business rather than be passive about it.

BTW, why was that not a holding or interference penalty on MacKinnon when he clearly clamped his arm down on Gustafsson's stick for a good 5 seconds? The referee was literally a few feet from them with them in his line of sight.

I expect him the look better on the ice next season. Summer with Dcat and the Hawks training staff. Dcat has a lot more jump than last year and strength.

He has so much offensive instinct. He knows where to go with and without the puck. More importantly he knows where to go with the puck to set up good offensive possession. Both Kane goals last night were created by Strome.

On that 5 on 5 goal he drove center ice with the puck opening up ice for Anisimov and Kane. He then had the offensive instinct to drop a perfect pass to Anisimov and then continue to the net allowing Kane to open up for a wide open one timer. That’s what a good big top 6 offensive center does.

Kid hasn’t played a full NHL season either. I’d be shocked next season if he’s not a 60pt plus center for Kane. Get those 2 a real top 6 winger and look out (not to rip Anisimov he’s looked good there and has had some serious jump and some physicality).
- bhawks2241

Strome really is showing that he can be the center that Kane needs: is big and strong, drives the net, goes to the rough areas, has great vision, makes plays to set up teammates. Reminds me a lot of Jumbo Joe. Both are playmakers but are decent finishers in their own right.

Get a steady LW for Strome and Kane and they will be an even stronger force than they are currently. DeBrincat is of course an option. Kane and many fans on these boards would love Panarin to be that guy.

Get a steady LW for Strome and Kane and they will be an even stronger force than they are currently. DeBrincat is of course an option. Kane and many fans on these boards would love Panarin to be that guy.
- AEL_Fox

Not sure how feasible it will be the Hawks to get Panarin, Stone, or another elite top 6 wing, but let's say it is Panarin:

Saad - Toews - Kahun
Panarin - Strome - Kane
DeBrincat - 3C - Sikura

If not Panarin and say aim for Stone instead:

Saad - Toews - Stone
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Kahun - 3C - Sikura

3C option: retain Anisimov or acquire a new one via trade or free agency. Would rather not overslot Kampf in that role. Let him replace Kruger as 4C.

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.
- 6628

Do they both get a trophy afterwards?

Strome really is showing that he can be the center that Kane needs: is big and strong, drives the net, goes to the rough areas, has great vision, makes plays to set up teammates. Reminds me a lot of Jumbo Joe. Both are playmakers but are decent finishers in their own right.

Get a steady LW for Strome and Kane and they will be an even stronger force than they are currently. DeBrincat is of course an option. Kane and many fans on these boards would love Panarin to be that guy.
- AEL_Fox

7 points in last 3 games. The 2nd line is looking dangerous again. On the PP it's like having 2 Toews' the battle for the puck and soft pass to Kane was beautiful for the PP goal. Wins face offs ice awareness is very good.