Not surprising. They have looked excellent
- Hawks_49

Jammer really lovin his Drake Caggiula.
All he needs to do now is shave his head and look more like Ben Eager. He's really playing well. Hope it lasts.

Great game by 88! I know it's probably better in the long run if we lose and get a high draft pick, but I can't root for them to lose. I will always root for the win, but be ok with s loss knowing it will help in the end.

There is another half empty cup...post....
- TrueGrit

True Contrarian living up to his name. During the period of 2011-2016 when the Hawks won two cups you were the "cup half empty guy", always pointing out the deficiencies of the club posting how the Hawks were done because they didn't play "modern hockey". Now that the Hawks are on the downside of their glory years you're suddenly taking umbridge when other posters are pointing out the team isnt so good anymore and are now taking up the "cup half full" guy? Really TC?

Jammer really lovin his Drake Caggiula.
All he needs to do now is shave his head and look more like Ben Eager. He's really playing well. Hope it lasts.
- Hawkytalk

Yeah. Big difference is that Caggiula has the skill to hang. If he brings that kind of effort on the top line every night he won't be leaving it any time soon

Buffalo had a lot of shots, but Ward didn't steal the game. Two thirds of his saves were in the crest of his chest or shot straight into his glove. He played well, but it isn't like the Hawks were overwhelmed for the whole game. They played a fine road game and took advantage of their chances when they got them.
- Hawks_49

bufflao had alot of shots: indeed 43; got to be the somewhere north of 20 the # of games the hawks have allowed over shots

so 2/3 = about 32 shot were meh nothing special; which means 11 were; how many of those were grade A double rebound in traffic or the pp where 3 hawks follow the puck to the right; the 4th is trailing leaving a 2 on ward and he stopped both;

when the other guy gets 7 you are not overwhelming them

hmm if they won eeked out a 4-3 winner is that a goalie win

hawks can score (at least their top 5 can) but the same ole defenses lapses were on display again and they almost gave it way...thank hutton for his horsepoop night

Anisimov continues to be an enigma on line 4.....

bufflao had alot of shots: indeed 43; got to be the somewhere north of 20 the # of games the hawks have allowed over shots

so 2/3 = about 32 shot were meh nothing special; which means 11 were; how many of those were grade A double rebound in traffic or the pp where 3 hawks follow the puck to the right; the 4th is trailing leaving a 2 on ward and he stopped both;

when the other guy gets 7 you are not overwhelming them

hmm if they won eeked out a 4-3 winner is that a goalie win

hawks can score (at least their top 5 can) but the same ole defenses lapses were on display again and they almost gave it way...thank hutton for his horsepoop night
- bogiedoc

The score got to 4-3, but it was rather quickly the Hawks put their foot down. The Hawks were the better team and won the game.

Anisimov continues to be an enigma on line 4.....
- EnzoD

Hey it's probably the first time in his career he's gone five straight games winning at least 50% of his faceoffs....

Was at the game too, just live near Niagara Falls area, so quick trip over the border, first period was painfully boring for both teams, then the Hawks scored some, Sabres came back, Hawks d looked wobbly in the third but hung on for a win, Kane still loves to stick it to his hometown, great early goal by him on Hutton.

I agree that Saad is a great piece to have going forward, and I really like the effort that he's been showing since JC became coach. But, you also need to give in order to get and I don't see any of these young defensemen in our system turning into the kind of horse you need to go 3 or 4 rounds deep into the playoffs and play like Brent Seabrook or Duncan Keith did in their prime, at least not in the 2 to 3 year window that we're looking at for Kane and Toews. If Saad, a high level prospect and a 3rd gets you a Giordano caliber defenseman , you do it.
- Dieselhead

Saad has two more years on his contract after this one. He's probably going to take this offseason quite seriously and have an even better year next season, and again the year after that. So, maybe you keep him or maybe you deal him but I'd hold on to him for now. He'll get a better return a year from now.

True Contrarian living up to his name. During the period of 2011-2016 when the Hawks won two cups you were the "cup half empty guy", always pointing out the deficiencies of the club posting how the Hawks were done because they didn't play "modern hockey". Now that the Hawks are on the downside of their glory years you're suddenly taking umbridge when other posters are pointing out the team isnt so good anymore and are now taking up the "cup half full" guy? Really TC?
- paulr

Thank you for the critique Professor Paul. You and everyone are free to interpret anything you read; however, its probably a good idea to not project your interpretations with such a broad stroke, as they really demonstrate intellectual laziness. I mean sure it is easy and convenient to characterize someone in such a way as to discredit them and thus tell yourself and the world, based upon your characterization, that you do not have to engage with them, let alone entertain their insane ideas, based upon your own jaded perception.

And may i say I am truly flattered by the attention you give my posts, the only thing that would make it better is if you had a red keyboard to grade them with and more importantly, teach the rest of the community about the errors of my ways.

Truth is I have been consistent over the years. I had no trouble with this team until after the second cup. And yes I was wrong, they won a third. But make no mistake about it, the trajectory of the way the game is played and the trajectory of Q's personnel preferences and style were moving in opposite directions from that point on. We do not need to rehash the players he ran out of town the last 2 or 3 year.

And I do not lay that all at his feet, the reality is Hawk fans have been blessed with a run of success, and everyone involved deserves credit.

Lastly, philosophically I will never root or hope for failure as some how a means to a better outcome in sports. And given the obvious state of this team, with so many negatives, I will focus on the positives and, mostly in fun, encourage others to do so as well.

Anisimov continues to be an enigma on line 4.....
- EnzoD

If they had a fifth line, he would anchor that. He is not in the mold of players they want going forward...

JMO, But I don’t think iBrandon Saad is going anywhere , unless it is a what you call a “ bonified hockey trade” , That helps both teams, possibly getting a number two or three defenseman in return.
I have to agree that I think he will be a man on a mission this off-season. Hell ,he could still finish up with 25 goals this year which is a good season.
I am amazed that the projection is it will only take 85 points to get a wild-card spot in the west. If a couple of teams lose and this team keeps winning by the time mid February comes around this team could be right there in the wild-card spot. Now all of a sudden what do you do 25th of February? My opinion is do not mortgage the future for a couple playoff games. I was more on board with getting a top two or three pick but now it looks like we will be realistically drafting like we did last year anywhere between seven and 12.

What ways is Jokiharju improving or developing hockey skills and NHL or down in Rockford.

This is a double edge sword question
Good to be playing and improving maybe a tad. Hard to say what quality or depth instruction plus in game repitition in how he reacts and makes proper decisions

Better to just be playing regularly say 14 TOI or less NHL or regular in Rockfird is beside the point if he still has a problem

So IS IT TRUE HE IS PLAYING SCARED TO BE HIT (CHECKED), HOW IS THAT REMEDIED? A SUMMER OR TWO OF WEIGHT TRAINING?

Perhaps we need to stop surmising he is part of our top young fleet of blueline help until he is not scared.

And who knows how this same fear impacts on smallish size Beaudin and Mitchell. If this is a common thread problem, then geez McDonough grandma has just as much b*lls.

We have to endure a waiting game with all these talented prospects we hold in high esteem as soon to be patrolling the NHL ponds. I too get excited seeing AEL_FOX break down of the dmen. Maybe we are putting said players in front of horse.

Just sayin'? Think i have a point. Because just pairing with a rougher tougher mate does not really solve much

In fact I see our opponent solving is 40 + shots per game.

The good things Beaudin, Mitchell, Jokiharju can do offensively and their smarts, reads, gap control is so good now that their transition to NHL is not far ftom seemless IF NOT FOR THE BEING SCARED TO BE HIT?

Might add Forsling to the group. Galvas?

The lesser than ready for prime time Boqvist i surmise will not have as big an issue with being checked. He also is the biggest and fastest of the group. Which he can learn to use to his advantage. All need to play smart

Could we hire Larry Murphy or Rozival to teach smarts and positioning? Something i had thoughtnSamuelson would have done.

Koekkoeck should be playing to see what we have in his service. Playing over Seabrook. Seabrook does not pass the eye test no matter whatever statistic or no goals 5-5 you want to bring up.

I am wishing to know if Koekkoeck indeed continues to hit a few people. I do not think we should dismiss him too soon. Perhaps Bowman wants to see Forsling more? Or Colliton feels the same.

Koekkoeck should be playing to see what we have in his service. Playing over Seabrook. Seabrook does not pass the eye test no matter whatever statistic or no goals 5-5 you want to bring up.

I am wishing to know if Koekkoeck indeed continues to hit a few people. I do not think we should dismiss him too soon. Perhaps Bowman wants to see Forsling more? Or Colliton feels the same.
- jhawk59

Agree on Forsling,Also on double K, Don’t think Seabrook goes anywhere, I think Gus is the trade piece. You have plenty to take his spot they’re probably better defensively. It look like crap again yesterday in his own zone.

Agree on Forsling,Also on double K, Don’t think Seabrook goes anywhere, I think Gus is the trade piece. You have plenty to take his spot they’re probably better defensively. It look like crap again yesterday in his own zone.
- wonthecup10

Once they trade that washed up has been bum Duncan Keith they will need Gus to eat up his minutes.

That should get the shots against up to about 55 per game.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97497

What ways is Jokiharju improving or developing hockey skills and NHL or down in Rockford.

This is a double edge sword question
Good to be playing and improving maybe a tad. Hard to say what quality or depth instruction plus in game repitition in how he reacts and makes proper decisions

Better to just be playing regularly say 14 TOI or less NHL or regular in Rockfird is beside the point if he still has a problem

So IS IT TRUE HE IS PLAYING SCARED TO BE HIT (CHECKED), HOW IS THAT REMEDIED? A SUMMER OR TWO OF WEIGHT TRAINING?

Perhaps we need to stop surmising he is part of our top young fleet of blueline help until he is not scared.

And who knows how this same fear impacts on smallish size Beaudin and Mitchell. If this is a common thread problem, then geez McDonough grandma has just as much b*lls.

We have to endure a waiting game with all these talented prospects we hold in high esteem as soon to be patrolling the NHL ponds. I too get excited seeing AEL_FOX break down of the dmen. Maybe we are putting said players in front of horse.

Just sayin'? Think i have a point. Because just pairing with a rougher tougher mate does not really solve much

In fact I see our opponent solving is 40 + shots per game.
- jhawk59

I don't see him playing scared like Schmaltz, i imagine he's getting worn down by the best hockey forwards in the world, keep in mind he's only 19 if in 3 years he stops short of going im the corners and turns the puck over like Gusto does with pressure then I'll get concerned. Time will tell