Beat ya!

There are a lot of bodies on the roster right now.

These moves tell me:

* Shaw obviously out as per LTIR
* Caggiula may have suffered a setback
* Keith is not close (Colliton stated he's week-to-week)
* Is there something going on with Maatta? He's been "sick" for a while now
* Has Dennis Gilbert bumped Slater Koekkoek out of the lineup? Also to note, Gilbert and Boqvist have played well together in the past.
* Is there a move on the horizon?
- Tyler Cameron

with all this injury and sickness chaos...gotta hand it to them for getting 5 of the last 6 points...

shaw out with head trauma is unfortunate...i was hugely supportive of bringing him back but it has not worked out and as many of you pointed out his recent injury problems were a concern.

the young man might want to think of giving it up when his contract expires. for a passed over 2x 5th round draft choice to 4 year 4 mildo per contract, 2 cups, quite an accomplishment

It's fun to argue about the last 4/5 guys on the roster, but that's not where the trouble starts. It's the top guys. Kane remains the same. Toews was a top 5 center, now he's not. Keith was a perennial Norris candidate. Now he's not. Hossa was just great. Now he's been gunked. Seabrook made Team Canada. Now he can't. Sharp and Hammer were really damn good. Now they're gone.

The challenge is to find 3-4 great players and several really good ones. Who are they?
- mohel

So in BOD wisdom we blame those guys for getting old.

In answer to your question, this is the dilemma the Hawks are in. I thought in 2016 they should have moved as much of core out as possible for prospects and draft picks, it didn’t happen, now the Hawks are stuck with a number of large contracts for the next four or so years for average players. Until these contracts are off the books the team can’t get involved in free agency, which at this point in time is a great thing. All the Hawks, can and should do is collect as much young talent or draft picks as possible and not make dumb moves for older players to make the playoffs.

It actually is trouble when the coach plays the bottom 4/5 guys in top roles they have no business being in
- PatShart

I think you were actually agreeing with me.

So in BOD wisdom we blame those guys for getting old.

In answer to your question, this is the dilemma the Hawks are in. I thought in 2016 they should have moved as much of core out as possible for prospects and draft picks, it didn’t happen, now the Hawks are stuck with a number of large contracts for the next four or so years for average players. Until these contracts are off the books the team can’t get involved in free agency, which at this point in time is a great thing. All the Hawks, can and should do is collect as much young talent or draft picks as possible and not make dumb moves for older players to make the playoffs.
- paulr

As much as i hate this idea, i agree its really the only path they can take

Wondering. Knowing Lehner's shootout issues. And knowing the dominance you can have on an overtime PP....

I was thinking last night. JC, pull the goalie. Go 5 on 3 on that OT Powerplay. You got the point, not a huge risk. I think I woulda done it is that situation.
- hawk35

"The NHL discourages teams from pulling their goaltender during an overtime period; if a team does so, and subsequently loses the game when their opponent scores an empty net goal, the losing team does not receive the one point in the standings they would otherwise have received for an overtime loss."

Believe Lehner has already said it wouldn't bother him. Now, whether Crow wants to come in cold with game on line is another question.
- pdx2ord

If Crow doesn’t want to come in with the game on the line, his balls are in a jar somewhere and should retire.

It actually is trouble when the coach plays the bottom 4/5 guys in top roles they have no business being in
- PatShart

but do we have six legitimate top 6 NHL players who are currently healthy? or, at all?

"The NHL discourages teams from pulling their goaltender during an overtime period; if a team does so, and subsequently loses the game when their opponent scores an empty net goal, the losing team does not receive the one point in the standings they would otherwise have received for an overtime loss."
- pdx2ord

Passed at the same time as the spending cap on the Moms / Dads trips.

I agree, 35. Hossa is hard to replace. I think they'll need a "surprise" or two from rounds 2+, and another high #1 would help. The UFA route isn't where to get those guys, imo.
- mohel

Agreed. UFA is only useful to teams on the "cusp" in my opinion. When you are already a contender and need that ONE or TWO pieces...then...take your shot. For a team in the Hawks situation I would avoid UFA at all costs.

(Now, that said...there are always exceptions....so if a 25 or 27 year old stud is available and fits your needs...and you see the long-term value...maybe...but they are rare...so 99% of the time...no)

but do we have six legitimate top 6 NHL players who are currently healthy? or, at all?
- pdx2ord

Not sure...they havent been able to play top 6 roles consistently this year

I'd think..
Saad-Toews-Kubilak
Debrincat-Strome-Kane

...isnt a bad top 6 - pending if Kubilak can be a goal scoring threat. If he can get 20g...thatvline could be a top 6.

I would have loved to see them paired up against Schmaltz's line yesterday.

I think the Hawks win the game if that's the matchup

"The NHL discourages teams from pulling their goaltender during an overtime period; if a team does so, and subsequently loses the game when their opponent scores an empty net goal, the losing team does not receive the one point in the standings they would otherwise have received for an overtime loss."
- pdx2ord

Oh. Well I guess that explains that. So now I know why teams haven't tried this before. Because to generate a 5 on 3, I am thinking it may be done a fair bit. So, looking like our only recourse going forward is for Crawford to come in as the "Closer".

Did Shaw get a concussion in his recent "fire up the team" fight. I hope not. Get well 65, love your fire.

Oh. Well I guess that explains that. So now I know why teams haven't tried this before. Because to generate a 5 on 3, I am thinking it may be done a fair bit. So, looking like our only recourse going forward is for Crawford to come in as the "Closer".
- hawk35

Yes, because you'll have teams just doing whatever they can to push it to a shootout if Lehner is in the net. Taking less risk trying to score and holding onto possession.

Did Shaw get a concussion in his recent "fire up the team" fight. I hope not. Get well 65, love your fire.
- mohel

Hoping the best for him - wasn't he out 6+ months with his major concussion in MTL? He's spoken about how dark those times were for him and his family.

but do we have six legitimate top 6 NHL players who are currently healthy? or, at all?
- pdx2ord

I'd say we have five legit top six guys: Kane, Cat, Strome, Toews, and Saad

Kane is the only elite one out of the bunch. The rest have shown (Cat and Strome) or at times (Toews and Saad) play at an elite level. When we were at our best we had Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, at least playing at an elite level with a huge supporting cast with them. Those teams were an outlier though. The chances of us seeing them replicate anything close to that in any of our lifetimes again are damn near slim to none.

I like the Hawks depth this year. I think they can be a Playoff team with the roster they have if they can consistently play well. I just wish we could pick a side of things. The we're good and can compete to we suck and we're a bottom five team in the league is annoying

Hoping the best for him - wasn't he out 6+ months with his major concussion in MTL? He's spoken about how dark those times were for him and his family.
- pdx2ord

I believe it was either 16 or 17 he had the concussion problems. It happened in the Playoffs I remember that and carried over for awhile. Just gotta hope he can get himself right for his and his families sake. That needs to come first. Then hockey.

Did Shaw get a concussion in his recent "fire up the team" fight. I hope not. Get well 65, love your fire.
- mohel

Is this jab necessary to the guy you and your group argued with all day yesterday?

the cheap poop..nhl style. I caught this and so did scott powers..

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1203849665504055296

this stuff goes on way to much with out any call...why won't the nhl and refs not get their (frank)n act together and start penalizing guys...i do't care if it means double digit combined pens/game....eventually players will stop

They are what they are. A .500 team at best, that is too slow to keep up with the big boys. Look what Colorado and Phoenix did to this team. They skated circles around them and the Hawks were chasing the whole game. Only reason they got a point last night was because Lehner was dynamite. Penalties will continue to be a problem when you have to hold on for dear life or use your stick to slow down faster opponents. Too many holes for this team to go on an extended winning streak in my opinion. Say goodbye to some veterans at the ned of the year and create room for the likes of Boqvist, Mitchell, Kurashvev, and Entswhistle.
- ChicagoHope

Only top 6 player they have in the pipeline is already on the team, Dach. Very low on young talent anywhere at forward.

Is this jab necessary to the guy you and your group argued with all day yesterday?
- PatShart

That's rich coming from you; the guy who has "JC sucks" as a jab in almost every post you submit. Have you ever let yesterday's topic stay in yesterday?

That's rich coming from you; the guy who has "JC sucks" as a jab in almost every post you submit. Have you ever let yesterday's topic stay in yesterday?
- mohel

I bring it up per game as it happens and I back it up with specifics

I'm not trolling another poster who at then end, stood up and "agreed to disagree" with your group

I'll now wait for the rest of your team to begin the pile on...

And JC can feel free to comment as well. I'd welcome hearing his philosophy of rolling lines vs his refusal to match lines and his minute allocation. I wish he would be asked those questions by the beat writers

Did Shaw get a concussion in his recent "fire up the team" fight. I hope not. Get well 65, love your fire.
- mohel

Snowflake! It's not about the score or the player's health, it's about the fight. Don't forget that!

Snowflake! It's not about the score or the player's health, it's about the fight. Don't forget that!
- paulr

Right on cue!!

Right on cue!!
- PatShart

Q