One year doesn't make toews a superstar again. This is year 5 of his massive 8 year contract. Hossa made toews a better player , look at his numbers playing with hossa and without.

Also toews played with Kane most of last year , kane can make just about anyone look better than what their true value is hands down.

Their comes a point in any sport where the player who was once a impact player becomes a liability.

This notion that guys have to retire as a hawk is noble and great if the team was buildt to still be winning .

Keith , Seabrook and toews are no longer a impact player to help this team.

Their salaries and contracts are hurting this team from just moving on and rebuilding and restocking picks and young prospects for the next generation .

4 and 5 more years locked into the guys with no available salary to resign guys or go to free agency for a young free agent and a farm system that doesn't scream talent.
- Taylorst1

Did Hossa make Toews better? Of course he did, did Toews make Hossa better? Yes again, it worked both ways. Both great players, both HOF players. Is Toews currently contributing on score sheet as expected? No, not yet. Is Toews contributing in other ways? Every game.

Keith is fine. As he's shown. At 5 million with a competent partner he can still contribute.

Seabrook bad.

Toews, meh. Is he really going to shoot 6.7% the whole year? Maybe but probably not.

Toews and Kane are only 3 years after this one. Keith only 3 years. Seabrook has 4 which is dumb but not the end of the world.

Quite a bit of you
ng talent both in the minors and on the team now.
- fattybeef

Rockfords forward group doesn't scream with top 6 talent.
From their defensive prospects nothing is guaranteed until they get a shot and prove themselves, however I'll concede they have a ton of promising defenseman.

Keith should be bumped down to a 3rd pairing , and it's more obvious Keith has lost a step and with 3 more years locked in with him and 4 for Seabrook who are both 34 and older the backend will be a constant issue .

Toews or Kane are the only 2 who can fetch any return if they opted to waive their no movement clauses.

Toews can no longer carry a line and tilt the ice and at 10.5 million and a team that is at best a wildcard maybe it's time to shake things up .

Keith would be fine if he were a #4D. Problem is he’s the #1D on this roster and gets utilized that way. In that role he’s become detrimental. Not having a true top pairing defenseman is KILLING our Dcore as a whole. Hopefully Boqvist or Mitchell can one day become that guy.
- SimpleJack

STL didn't have a top pairing. Neither did Pitt for their second cup. I don't think Letang played a playoff game...

The D would be fine if they had quicker guys who could consistently make an outlet pass or carry the puck out of the zone. Getting pinned in is a product of Seabrook, Matta, De Haan and Gus (for most of the season) not being able to make a good pass or not being able to escape trouble. Plus the stupid system they were trying to play relies on athletic fast players which most of those guys aren't and these lumbering fellers chasing guys to the boards is going to result in a bad time.

When they slide in a few quicker defenders who can keep a tighter gap and not yield the blue line + advance the puck with speed, they'll look a whole lot better.

It is pretty obvious that the target "run" year is in 2 years and they're just trying to keep them interesting enough to keep asses in seats until its Dach's and Boqvist's team.

Did Hossa make Toews better? Of course he did, did Toews make Hossa better? Yes again, it worked both ways. Both great players, both HOF players. Is Toews currently contributing on score sheet as expected? No, not yet. Is Toews contributing in other ways? Every game.
- Angotti

Toews didn't make hossa a better player, hossa even at 31 years old his production and play speaks for itself , compared to toews at 31.

Toews apparently as captain can't seem to rally his teammates to turn things around , his scoring production is nowhere near what this team needs and to reflect his 10.5 million salary that hasn't lived up to his contract with the anomaly of last year. His FO have dropped in percentage.

Toews maybe needs to be benched to send a clear message to him and the team .

Seabrook was benched , Nylander, kubalick all benched for their lack of production why is toews exempt.

STL didn't have a top pairing. Neither did Pitt for their second cup. I don't think Letang played a playoff game...

The D would be fine if they had quicker guys who could consistently make an outlet pass or carry the puck out of the zone. Getting pinned in is a product of Seabrook, Matta, De Haan and Gus (for most of the season) not being able to make a good pass or not being able to escape trouble. Plus the stupid system they were trying to play relies on athletic fast players which most of those guys aren't and these lumbering fellers chasing guys to the boards is going to result in a bad time.

When they slide in a few quicker defenders who can keep a tighter gap and not yield the blue line + advance the puck with speed, they'll look a whole lot better.

It is pretty obvious that the target "run" year is in 2 years and they're just trying to keep them interesting enough to keep asses in seats until its Dach's and Boqvist's team.
- fattybeef

I am guessing that Matta is gone next year.

Toews didn't make hossa a better player, hossa even at 31 years old his production and play speaks for itself , compared to toews at 31.

Toews apparently as captain can't seem to rally his teammates to turn things around , his scoring production is nowhere near what this team needs and to reflect his 10.5 million salary that hasn't lived up to his contract with the anomaly of last year. His FO have dropped in percentage.

Toews maybe needs to be benched to send a clear message to him and the team .

Seabrook was benched , Nylander, kubalick all benched for their lack of production why is toews exempt.
- Taylorst1

We’ll agree to disagree. Was Toews on the ice against Seguin last night? How many points did Seguin have? You see there are numerous things that you can do to help your team win a game, you don’t always have to score goals to accomplish that.

We’ll agree to disagree. Was Toews on the ice against Seguin last night? How many points did Seguin have? You see there are numerous things that you can do to help your team win a game, you don’t always have to score goals to accomplish that.
- Angotti

The hottest team in the league manages 1 goal in 125 minutes of regulation and OT.

That clearly doesn't matter - its points don't you know.

We’ll agree to disagree. Was Toews on the ice against Seguin last night? How many points did Seguin have? You see there are numerous things that you can do to help your team win a game, you don’t always have to score goals to accomplish that.
- Angotti

I'll agree with some of your point that eliminating other teams top lines is of value, however toews production / points scoring has regressed , last year was a anomaly for toews production, but what toews did last year is what Chicago needs from him going forward to help this team win and make the playoffs. Toews , Kane strome and cat all had a great year , now they have all with the exception of Kane aren't putting up anywhere near the numbers they did last year.

The hottest team in the league manages 1 goal in 125 minutes of regulation and OT.

That clearly doesn't matter - its points don't you know.
- RickJ

That’s all that matters, points, points, points. If the other team gets more points doesn’t really matter, as long as you accumulate points, we need those stats to look good you know.

STL didn't have a top pairing. Neither did Pitt for their second cup. I don't think Letang played a playoff game...

The D would be fine if they had quicker guys who could consistently make an outlet pass or carry the puck out of the zone. Getting pinned in is a product of Seabrook, Matta, De Haan and Gus (for most of the season) not being able to make a good pass or not being able to escape trouble. Plus the stupid system they were trying to play relies on athletic fast players which most of those guys aren't and these lumbering fellers chasing guys to the boards is going to result in a bad time.

When they slide in a few quicker defenders who can keep a tighter gap and not yield the blue line + advance the puck with speed, they'll look a whole lot better.

It is pretty obvious that the target "run" year is in 2 years and they're just trying to keep them interesting enough to keep asses in seats until its Dach's and Boqvist's team.
- fattybeef

I have noticed that when Crawford is in net and is able to handle the puck, the transition out of our end seems smoother and quicker.

Just stop with the foolish notion that Keith is no longer a top pairing D-man. Let alone a #1. While he may not be the player he was in his prime, there is no way in the (frank)ing world there are 60 D-men better than he is right now. Or 30 for that matter. There are at least 25 teams in the league that would take him and put him on their top pairing.

I am guessing that Matta is gone next year.
- bhawks2241

One can hope.

We’ll agree to disagree. Was Toews on the ice against Seguin last night? How many points did Seguin have? You see there are numerous things that you can do to help your team win a game, you don’t always have to score goals to accomplish that.
- Angotti

Lou, there's an old saying about wrestling with pigs - you'll just end up dirty, and the pig likes it.

Just stop with the foolish notion that Keith is no longer a top pairing D-man. Let alone a #1. While he may not be the player he was in his prime, there is no way in the (frank)ing world there are 60 D-men better than he is right now. Or 30 for that matter. There are at least 25 teams in the league that would take him and put him on their top pairing.
- Elbows15

Finally you say something smart, ffs.

Happy Thanksgiving, old timer.

Finally you say something smart, ffs.

Happy Thanksgiving, old timer.
- mohel

Happy Thanksgiving, Assface!

Just stop with the foolish notion that Keith is no longer a top pairing D-man. Let alone a #1. While he may not be the player he was in his prime, there is no way in the (frank)ing world there are 60 D-men better than he is right now. Or 30 for that matter. There are at least 25 teams in the league that would take him and put him on their top pairing.
- Elbows15

Agree 100% with this. He looked a bit chippy for the first two or three games this year, but he has been outstanding or very close to outstanding ever since.

Didn’t Darryl Sutter rough up Tyler Arnason in a bar on a road trip when he was the Hawks coach?

Forget how it ended for both......
- mike7076

Sutter inn Nashville ...

Did Hossa make Toews better? Of course he did, did Toews make Hossa better? Yes again, it worked both ways. Both great players, both HOF players. Is Toews currently contributing on score sheet as expected? No, not yet. Is Toews contributing in other ways? Every game.
- Angotti

Yeah Tazer looked really aggressive and went after the possessions last night, imo.

I am guessing that Matta is gone next year.
- bhawks2241

I think a lot of who comprises the defense has a lot to do with
a) just EXACTLY how well Ian Mitchell looks if he gets in there before the season is over, and
b) Boqvist development this season in Rockford.

Where Boqvist is truly a gifted attacking player, Mitchell is quick and confident and "committed" when in his end and in his ability to transition, and seeing that, against milers, even in end of the year NHL games is going to be a barometer as to whether he needs much seasoning, because it is clear in college play he is excellent at challenging and winning back pucks in his end and confident and relaxed to where he is truly a above average college defender.

Expansion is year away and a lot can happen in the Hawk line p and a lot hinges upon whether they actually make the playoffs, miss, and win the lottery etc.

Let's not get a head of things.

Just stop with the foolish notion that Keith is no longer a top pairing D-man. Let alone a #1. While he may not be the player he was in his prime, there is no way in the world there are 60 D-men better than he is right now. Or 30 for that matter. There are at least 25 teams in the league that would take him and put him on their top pairing.
- Elbows15

Yeah I have to agree.

I think a lot of who comprises the defense has a lot to do with
a) just EXACTLY how well Ian Mitchell looks if he gets in there before the season is over, and
b) Boqvist development this season in Rockford.

Where Boqvist is truly a gifted attacking player, Mitchell is quick and confident and "committed" when in his end and in his ability to transition, and seeing that, against milers, even in end of the year NHL games is going to be a barometer as to whether he needs much seasoning, because it is clear in college play he is excellent at challenging and winning back pucks in his end and confident and relaxed to where he is truly a above average college defender.

Expansion is year away and a lot can happen in the Hawk line p and a lot hinges upon whether they actually make the playoffs, miss, and win the lottery etc.

Let's not get a head of things.
- wiz1901

You okay, Wiz? Getting ahead of things is a thing here.

Yeah Tazer looked really aggressive and went after the possessions last night, imo.
- wiz1901

That's what I saw

One year doesn't make toews a superstar again. This is year 5 of his massive 8 year contract. Hossa made toews a better player , look at his numbers playing with hossa and without.

Also toews played with Kane most of last year , kane can make just about anyone look better than what their true value is hands down.

Their comes a point in any sport where the player who was once a impact player becomes a liability.

This notion that guys have to retire as a hawk is noble and great if the team was buildt to still be winning .

Keith , Seabrook and toews are no longer a impact player to help this team.

Their salaries and contracts are hurting this team from just moving on and rebuilding and restocking picks and young prospects for the next generation .

4 and 5 more years locked into the guys with no available salary to resign guys or go to free agency for a young free agent and a farm system that doesn't scream talent.
- Taylorst1

agree with you totally Taylor, independent observers would agree

That's what I saw
- 6628

Somebody had to play well, given the zero against.

That's what I saw
- 6628

My impression is that the lavender sniffer quotient is improving on the team.