hope he keeps Joki on his right side. Maybe put Gus with murphy and Joki with Koek.
I did not see the game but how did Koek look he had 6 hits which seems like allot for a hawks player.

For those who care or are wondering, Barry Smith is reportedly moving from the bench back to the front office after the All Star Game.

The main reason for getting into some of those "bad markets" - and staying in them - is the national TV market in the US.

The only way to get a high-revenue national TV contract is to be a "national" (small-n) league - not a regional, cold weather combination of teams. That's the major reason there are still franchises in Phoenix, Miami, Raleigh....
- StLBravesFan

I understand your points. I think hockey is a great game — as entertaining and exciting as any of the major sports — when played properly. Just not sure that the national audience really cares about the game.

He's good. He's always been good. The puck is just finally going in instead of hitting the post now, so, you know, good for him.
- BINGO!

IF the Canes lose Ferland, given the 80+ point pace of Lindholm, the 45 point pace of Hanafin, and their respective position in the standings....it'd be hard to argue against the fact that Calgary won that trade in a landslide, no?

You sure do know a lot about a lot!

But here's the thing...rich people don't get rich by spending money. And while we would all love EVERY SINGLE CONTRACT to be fair to both the team and the player, there are waaaaaaayyyy too many factors for that to be the case.

How does one justify paying players? If you pay players based on potential, you take the chance the player will never live up to the contract, or he gets injured, or is inconsistent.

If you pay a player based on prior performance, you take the chance he won't get back to those numbers, or again, gets injured, or is good, but not good enough for the contract numbers.

So, how do you justify a contract? The correct answer is: Too much for us to speculate on a message board. In other words, you oversimplify everything.
- CanOCorn

How true! One of the richest owners in auto racing, roger Penske, once said, if I recall correctly, “you never race with your own money.”

The teams have to be financially viable and sustainable in their markets. Hi f they aren’t, the entire product suffers and ends up supporting those incapable of doing it themselves.

For those who care or are wondering, Barry Smith is reportedly moving from the bench back to the front office after the All Star Game.
- AEL_Fox

Are they going to have Tommy Hawk walk him up there so he doesn't get lost along the way?

Jokiharju back in tonight for Dahlstrom.

Ward starts.
- J3ustin Lowe

Ward starting means the tank continues and Hughes or kako looking great

IF the Canes lose Ferland, given the 80+ point pace of Lindholm, the 45 point pace of Hanafin, and their respective position in the standings....it'd be hard to argue against the fact that Calgary won that trade in a landslide, no?
- EnzoD

Depends what they get for Ferland, and how good Adam Fox turns out to be.

Hanifin's numbers are almost all secondary assists. The only thing he's been better at is having other guys on the ice that can score.

if we move AA this trade deadline or next summer I don't think we need to move craw.
the RFA's this year are Kampf, perlini, Dahlstrom, koekkoek, forsling, Delia and Forsberg. which all we get really modest raises. Maybe $100K each. Then next year we have Caggulia, Kahun strome, and Cat, Which will be more cash needed. IE save Craws cash for there raises. If we trade craw and AA and use all the money this year we will not have money to keep all those guys. that is why I move AA for the best deal we can get. Keith because his value is going to go down and we are allot of luck away from competeting for a Stanley cup. in 2 years IMO. I would not trade SAAD unless it brings back a really good D player. He is not great but also not bad and is OK Def which is a big issue for us. We need our forwards to play good D because our Defense does not and I don't think that changes much next year.
- kmw4631

Crawford with his second concussion in less than a year , especially if he doesn't come back this season is more of a liability. Delia I think will earn a chance next year if he continues to grow, however Chicago can't afford LTIR with Crawford, they would need a solid backup . What happens if Crawford plays next year and 1 month in gets another concussion?


Who would Chicago then turn to to back up Delia?

Tonights opponent, the Islanders have been on a roll. Their goals against is down from last year, and their defensemen are just bit better than ok, but looking at them, nobody is really stellar. Trotz has got them playing team defense, shots are down, goaltending has been pretty good. Balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Trotz was the first coach of the Preds, and they always played hard nosed team defense, but lacked scoring. The Islanders have more scoring than those early Pred teams. I think this goes to show you, team defense is most important. Hope the Hawks figure this out because defense leads to offensive opportunities and you don't need ton of scoring, just balanced scoring

Jokiharju back in tonight for Dahlstrom.

Ward starts.
- Justin Lowe

The musical chair game continues.

Tonights opponent, the Islanders have been on a roll. Their goals against is down from last year, and their defensemen are just bit better than ok, but looking at them, nobody is really stellar. Trotz has got them playing team defense, shots are down, goaltending has been pretty good. Balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Trotz was the first coach of the Preds, and they always played hard nosed team defense, but lacked scoring. The Islanders have more scoring than those early Pred teams. I think this goes to show you, team defense is most important. Hope the Hawks figure this out because defense leads to offensive opportunities and you don't need ton of scoring, just balanced scoring
- chuckdahammer

Q always preached defense first and thats how they won...he was never concerned about having enough offense...

the hawks team defense has been a down trend for 3 years; crow kept them in it in 2016 and 2017 until his injury; delia ward best gives them a few wins or OT pts but mainly keeps them from GA above 4 and more blow outs. when you goalies are facing 40 SOG's and plus 15 high quality chances per game, you ain't going to win much. They lead the league in -goal differential and goals allowed

they neither have the talent, skill or will to play a structured team game...

Two components/options of the powerplay the Hawks have now that they didn't in the past are a powerplay quarterback with a big shot who can unload it quickly in Gus and a pure sniper with a quick release in ADB.

Keith could quarterback the powerplay but he didn't have an overpowering shot and it took him all day to get the shot off. And they haven't had that triggerman that they have in ADB. So while the Hawks never really had issues moving the puck around they never had those quick big shots as go to options.

All of the puck managing by Kane, all of the work in front of the net and digging loose pucks by Toews is rewarded with Gus and ADB. Now teams can't key on Kane or Toews but instead have 4 or 5 guys to worry about.
- paulr

I also believe Strome has been a big addition to the pp as well, he's winning the rebound battle and that was the biggest problem for the lack luster power play, big body, quick soft hands defense scrambling 1 or 2 passes after the rebound puck is in the back of the net.

Are they going to have Tommy Hawk walk him up there so he doesn't get lost along the way?
- breadbag

As long as Tommy Hawk doesn’t fight with any fans as he’s taking Smith upstairs.

For those who care or are wondering, Barry Smith is reportedly moving from the bench back to the front office after the All Star Game.
- AEL_Fox

via GIPHY

What is everyone thoughts on Dahlstrom? is he trending towards a keeper or possible trade bait to enhance elsewhere?
- glennjpawlak22

3rd pairing guy on a Cup contending team is his ceiling.

Q always preached defense first and thats how they won...he was never concerned about having enough offense...

the hawks team defense has been a down trend for 3 years; crow kept them in it in 2016 and 2017 until his injury; delia ward best gives them a few wins or OT pts but mainly keeps them from GA above 4 and more blow outs. when you goalies are facing 40 SOG's and plus 15 high quality chances per game, you ain't going to win much. They lead the league in -goal differential and goals allowed
They neither have the talent, skill or will to play a structured team game...
- bogiedoc

The last 3 Blackhawk SC winning teams had outstanding 2 way forwards, starting with Hossa. The entire team was focused on taking away the puck as quickly as possible. They also had the ability to spend large chunks of time in the offensive zone.

The current problems are not totally on the defensemen. Unfortunately, Bolland, Byfuglien, Hossa, Ladd, Sharp & Versteeg are not walking in the door to help out. It’s up to Stan to get players that are capable of playing at that level.

The last 3 Blackhawk SC winning teams had outstanding 2 way forwards, starting with Hossa. The entire team was focused on taking away the puck as quickly as possible. They also had the ability to spend large chunks of time in the offensive zone.

The current problems are not totally on the defensemen. Unfortunately, Bolland, Byfuglien, Hossa, Ladd, Sharp & Versteeg are not walking in the door to help out. It’s up to Stan to get players that are capable of playing at that level.
- scottak

The team chases the puck a lot which means they have to spend more time defending. The Hawks in their prime kept possession really well. Winning races, winning battles, and making plays to advance the puck without throwing it away. I remember guys like Brian Campbell, Leddy and sometimes Keith, just taking it end to end to create opportunities. That doesn't happen anymore for the Hawks.

The team chases the puck a lot which means they have to spend more time defending. The Hawks in their prime kept possession really well. Winning races, winning battles, and making plays to advance the puck without throwing it away. I remember guys like Brian Campbell, Leddy and sometimes Keith, just taking it end to end to create opportunities. That doesn't happen anymore for the Hawks.
- breadbag

Keith was the problem.
Gus gets credit?
- RedRevenge

Gus May have a hand in one power-play goal, and be on the ice and be responsible for four or five against some games. Hopefully there are a few GM’s that think he is the greatest thing since Paul Coffey

The team chases the puck a lot which means they have to spend more time defending. The Hawks in their prime kept possession really well. Winning races, winning battles, and making plays to advance the puck without throwing it away. I remember guys like Brian Campbell, Leddy and sometimes Keith, just taking it end to end to create opportunities. That doesn't happen anymore for the Hawks.
- breadbag

They sure do, not only that the skill level of these forwards lean more towards AHL instead of NHL, once they get possession lines 3 and 4 really struggle to keep possession, it would also be nice if a forward would block a shot, vs Caps 0 blocked shots by the forwards, pathetic

hope he keeps Joki on his right side. Maybe put Gus with murphy and Joki with Koek.
I did not see the game but how did Koek look he had 6 hits which seems like allot for a hawks player.
- kmw4631

I agree with you. I think we have determined Saad and ADB are LW's stop playing them out of position. Same for Joki, Gus, Murphy on D. Of course they can play an odd game on their off wing or off side. But they are what they are.


I would like to see Kahun play on the LW too. Most websites list him as a C/LW.

Perlini is also widely listed as a LW.

We are unbalanced with too many LW and not enough true RW. Maybe we need to trade a marginal extra LW to get a true RW even if he is a just marginal RW just to balance the lineup. (Then draft a RW like Kakko or Podz or sign a RW like Stone, Eberle, Nyqvist, Pavelski.)

Tonights opponent, the Islanders have been on a roll. Their goals against is down from last year, and their defensemen are just bit better than ok, but looking at them, nobody is really stellar. Trotz has got them playing team defense, shots are down, goaltending has been pretty good. Balanced scoring throughout the lineup. Trotz was the first coach of the Preds, and they always played hard nosed team defense, but lacked scoring. The Islanders have more scoring than those early Pred teams. I think this goes to show you, team defense is most important. Hope the Hawks figure this out because defense leads to offensive opportunities and you don't need ton of scoring, just balanced scoring
- chuckdahammer

Well said. System and coaching matter. Last year Leddy was a minus 42. This year a plus 1. Leddy's scoring pace just off slightly. Hmmmmm. Maybe Barry Trotz and his system and how he utilizes players have something to do with it. That is why I would like the Hawks to bring in a strong defensive coach. (Much like the Bears had Fangio.) John Stevens?

I agree with you. I think we have determined Saad and ADB are LW's stop playing them out of position. Same for Joki, Gus, Murphy on D. Of course they can play an odd game on their off wing or off side. But they are what they are.


I would like to see Kahun play on the LW too. Most websites list him as a C/LW.

Perlini is also widely listed as a LW.

We are unbalanced with too many LW and not enough true RW. Maybe we need to trade a marginal extra LW to get a true RW even if he is a just marginal RW just to balance the lineup. (Then draft a RW like Kakko or Podz or sign a RW like Stone, Eberle, Nyqvist, Pavelski.)
- -Doh-

If Chicago has the choice between Hughes and kako, I'm hoping they chose Hughes instead, Chicago is going to need a true top 6 center which are so hard to find . A winger is a dime a dozen .

Cool Drake Caggiula story. I like him even more now!

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