I agree. Nylander looks hesitant out there. I believe he will get to a point where he gains some confidence and lets his instincts take over. I am not ready to give up on him. Keep throwing him out there for 11 minutes a game. I would play him with Toews and Kubalik, They are really starting to click together.
- -Doh-

Oh, c'mon, the guy is 21 years old. He's a man. He'll never improve. The illuminati have ruled.

shhh, you are ruining the narrative!!

How do you know the work ethic isn't there?
- mohel

Because a player with any sort of work ethic and fire in his stomach would put out more than what we witnessed last night. THere was a reason he wasnt a fixture in Buffalo the last two years. You can't say he didn't have an opportunity. THey were a tire fire last year and the year before.

Because a player with any sort of work ethic and fire in his stomach would put out more than what we witnessed last night. THere was a reason he wasnt a fixture in Buffalo the last two years. You can't say he didn't have an opportunity. THey were a tire fire last year and the year before.
- nickmo2699

Not necessarily. He could be overthinking. That would lead to hesitating vs reacting.

You can question his work ethic, his drive whatever, if you go back and read ALL the scouting reports about Nylander, is how good his hockey sense is. Maybe it is drive, maybe it is he is scared, maybe he is thinking too much, but he does not lack hockey sense.

That is what makes him so frustrating. he is a 5 tool player (in baseball terms), who hasn't put it all together. Will he ever, who know, if he doesn't he won't be the first nor the last.

Lat's look at some numbers. As of today, Hawks record versus teams currently in the playoffs is 9-14-4 (22 out of 54 points, a 41% point percentage) while their record against non-playoff teams is 10-5-2 (22 out of 34 points, a 65% percentage). Note much more than half their 44 games played have been against playoff teams

I think they still will be a bubble team around the TDL even though their schedule does get easier for the remainder of January and February with a only about half their games versus playoff teams. I don't see them going on a long winning streak with Saad still out for a while, Strome out indefinitely, and Cat still struggling offensively. Kane can't carry the team himself especially with the line mates he has been given the last few games.

Many of us wish him to be a seller at the TDL, but when you think about it what valuable pieces on the team are wanted by others? Maata could be moved to someone needing a depth defenseman. Gus is pretty worthless. Smith maybe to add some 4th line grit to a team, but his salary is a liability. Saad probably worth the most but coming off the injury may diminish his value. Stan is in a tough spot, a bubble team not good enough to make the playoffs and no decent assets to sell off to improve the future.

Be honest with the legacy guys and say its a dev year. Unload Maatta and Gus and start playing more piggies on the blue line and cheers to another lottery pick.

Maybe playoffs next year but the target to go all in should be the year after that when crap gets shuffled around after the Seattle expansion.
- fattybeef

I think the management has ALWAYS painted rosier pictures to current situations in every season in that UC.
There is concern that the masses will trickle away, and the possibility that seats are remaining will be increase with "rebuild."

I have no doubt that Stan Bo has already been having converstaiosn at various levels that with trim the roster's present names, including adding last year of contract NHLERs with the main returns of draft picks and if they can pry a guy their scouts deem as a decent chance to NHLer as they did with Regula, and Kubalik, the results sort make the announcement that the rebuild continues...

I justv think they won't message (as usual) moves that are clear indications this year is over.

It will probably be not Bowman shopping as other teams actually viewing Hawks trade guys as playoff help.
Which defenseman goes? I think it depends upon a future Gus deal here as to whether he is the defender that goes, and besides Saad, I don't think the Cap hits of the lesser hawk forwards have StanBo viewing them as get out of the second (2020-21)year candidates.
and I will close my "You never admit to STRONG upward surge, just we are improving"
argument with this:
What if Red Wings as soon as getting Larkin started saying "he's gong two make us SO much better, he is the Moses, we will be back in no time..."
- they would be subject to an extra decade of comments and loaded questions, like "You said the rebuild started and here we are in (year) and where do you think you are, what hasn't gone right?"

GMs are guarded to help sell tickets not selling a present where the consumer says , "Well. I'll wait until they ARE back to BUY in.

Ohh no! We suck again!

Bummer of a loss last night. It's games like this that make you wanna pull your hair out.

Love that we seem to have fixed our problem on PK and the team isn't giving up a goal every time we're down a man. You actually feel pretty confident that they will kill it off which is refreshing after the past few years.

Now the work needs to be done on the PP. They've got enough pieces that are offensively gifted to make a difference, but holy hell you'd think they have anchors and can't move on the PP. There's no movement, everyone seems afraid to make a bad play and thus doesn't wanna be out of "position" or shoot the puck on net and have it dumped down. If they wanna take that next step to being a Playoff team anytime soon this is a big area that can take you from a middling team to a Playoff team.

Disappointed that Nylander didn't come out with more urgency last night. Instead he looked tentative and worried about making mistakes and thus....naturally...made more mistakes. I don't think it's a matter of the kid not carrying, if anything it might be a case of the kid caring too much, and letting the pressure exceed the pleasure of playing the game. Someone like Toews or Kane needs to pull him aside and help him relax and play freely out there to let his skill show through.

Hopefully Strome isn't out for too long. Looked pretty nasty last night, but let's hope it looked worse than it actually was. Even still the depth of this team is being tested hard. Stan is going to make a move or two just to get some NHL depth for this team. Shame Kris Versteeg decided he wasn't fit for the job of player coach in Rockford otherwise he'd probably be getting a shot right now if he's gonna miss any length of time. Having Aleksi Saarela around would be nice as well. Bet that kid is kicking himself for asking out of here and being stuck in the AHL for Florida. He definitely would be playing if he had stayed here, but oh well. Hindsight is 20/20.

Wonder if Stan would have the balls to trade Gus to bring in a forward who could help the team now (more than just a bottom six journeymen or AHL guy) and give Koekkoek and McCoshen or Carlsson some play

The Hawks are not going to intentionally tank, but with the injuries it is almost inevitable that they miss the playoffs. I am ok with that. Still can put the 2nd half of this year to good use. Especially for Dach, Boqvist, Nylander, and Sikura. Give them top 6 minutes / top pairing minutes.

- -Doh-

I'm of the same mindset - don't intentionally tank and if they make the playoffs great for young player experience - but if they don't it will enhance their draft position with the possibility of winning the draft lottery and I'll go back to be soothsaying ways and predict the Hawks will get the #1 pick to mirror 06/07 when they got the #3 pick (Toews/Dach) followed by the #1 pick (Kane/Lafreniere).

The main objective for this season was to ramp up the rebuild/reload by getting young players experience so they will be key pieces when the Hawks are in a position to challenge for the Cup again (2020/21 or 2021/22). That objective is being net with Dach, Kubalik and Boqvist all now regulars in the lineup. Other young players like Gilbert, Highmore, Quenneville, Nylander and Sikura have shown what kind of players they are and where they fit in the plans (or not).

If Mitchell signs and they get a good draft pick (hopefully Lafreniere) - they should be in good shape next season and even better shape the season after.

How do you know the work ethic isn't there?
- mohel

Well Mohel...if what we see out there is him working at his hardest....I am afraid we have a whole different level of problem. I almost hope it is an effort thing, that he can learn to snap out of......

How do you know the work ethic isn't there?
- mohel

C'mon Francis, it's a well known fact it isn't.

I am praying Ian Mitchell signs the dotted line as soon as Denver wraps up their season.
- nickmo2699

I do think that when (and if) they have a true pulse on Ian Mitchell's intentions, that will help determine which rostered defenseman they try too move NOW at the deadline.
I think he plays right away and that is HIS "demand" and the GM already the other ay spouted that company line.
His addition sends a message to the defenders that yet another roster spot is being filled (as Boqvist's call-up didl), by subtraction, they may not be in line to compete honest for the spot around Keith and Seabrook and Murphy.


(They had conversations with Kevin Hayes much in advance of the end of his final year, and continued pestering his representation and him personally until they were given strong indications he's was testing the market. AND once they knew the clear intention off Hayes to go UFA, they DID NOT ANNOUNCE IT...except when that lady color analyst (who they would go to during the telecasts with what player A tweeted) TWEETED K Hayes was leaving and NOTHING was said for the next month and she was basically shutdown too...She now does some stuff for NHL.com I think...I had no room for her name, lol!.

So to me it is madness to think outside defenders are gonna be added tis main stays...or to help solidify the playoff run."

You can question his work ethic, his drive whatever, if you go back and read ALL the scouting reports about Nylander, is how good his hockey sense is. Maybe it is drive, maybe it is he is scared, maybe he is thinking too much, but he does not lack hockey sense.

That is what makes him so frustrating. he is a 5 tool player (in baseball terms), who hasn't put it all together. Will he ever, who know, if he doesn't he won't be the first nor the last.
- LAHawk

Watching him on the ice id say hockey iq low. Skill level very high though and all the physical tools.

You can question his work ethic, his drive whatever, if you go back and read ALL the scouting reports about Nylander, is how good his hockey sense is. Maybe it is drive, maybe it is he is scared, maybe he is thinking too much, but he does not lack hockey sense.

That is what makes him so frustrating. he is a 5 tool player (in baseball terms), who hasn't put it all together. Will he ever, who know, if he doesn't he won't be the first nor the last.
- LAHawk

It is interesting how the 2016 draft has turned out (so far):

- from the players selected 1 thru 8, Mathews, Laine, P.L. Dubois, Mathew Tkachuk and Clayton Keller are legit NHL'ers who are solid fixtures on their teams and now have big bucks contracts.

- the other 3 - Puljujarvi, Juolevi and Nylander are basically nowhere to be found.

Nylander was drafted 8th overall on the basis of 1 season in the OHL when he notched 75 points. Risky pick by the Sabres and think they wouldn't now rather have Charlie McAvoy instead? Something tells me another part of being selected that high was name recognition with his brother in Toronto and father being an ex NHL'er.

Nashville tomorrow is an interesting match-up. Hawks and Preds have almost similar won lost records, but one team is built for now and one team is rebuilding on the fly. Poile is always active at the trade deadline, lets see what deals he makes.

Saw the article in TSN this AM about trading Puljarvhi. He laments trading a 21 year old that was a 4th round pick (same draft as Nylander at *), but Puljarvi said he doesn't want to play for the Oilers but it sounds like Holland won't just give him away.

Holland also states he doesn't see many deals come down until the trade deadline because of how bunched up the races are, and GM's are still evaluating whether they will be buyers or sellers.

I'm of the same mindset - don't intentionally tank and if they make the playoffs great for young player experience - but if they don't it will enhance their draft position with the possibility of winning the draft lottery and I'll go back to be soothsaying ways and predict the Hawks will get the #1 pick to mirror 06/07 when they got the #3 pick (Toews/Dach) followed by the #1 pick (Kane/Lafreniere).

The main objective for this season was to ramp up the rebuild/reload by getting young players experience so they will be key pieces when the Hawks are in a position to challenge for the Cup again (2020/21 or 2021/22). That objective is being net with Dach, Kubalik and Boqvist all now regulars in the lineup. Other young players like Gilbert, Highmore, Quenneville, Nylander and Sikura have shown what kind of players they are and where they fit in the plans (or not).

If Mitchell signs and they get a good draft pick (hopefully Lafreniere) - they should be in good shape next season and even better shape the season after.
- EbonyRaptor

EXACTLY Raptor. I said a few days ago on here...."Play as if you will make the playoffs and win the Cup"...but, know the reality and..."Manage like you are already out of it"... and make every deal a deal looking to the future, not the present.

This teamm will be win a couple,,,lose several...and rinse and repeat. Never getting within 3-4 points of a playoff spot....and yet likely staying outta bottom 3 for draft picks. My guess....draft 6th or 7th....and acquire what you can along the way.

Powers has an article looking at the possibility of the hawks finishing something like 23-11...

could it happen...sure.

but this teams trend has been 6-8 games of bad, 6-8 games of good, and 6-8 games of meh. any sequence of winning play gets reversed...

i give them credit with all these injuries they continue to play hard, getting outstanding goalie play and the "young" guys have been gaining great experience and not hurting the hawks...

but a season ending streak like that given the competition and other teams will be fighting for their playoff lives...hawks just don't have enough to put on that type of play and winning.

I predicted and 85 pt team and that is where they will finish 80 low end 88 high end

You can question his work ethic, his drive whatever, if you go back and read ALL the scouting reports about Nylander, is how good his hockey sense is. Maybe it is drive, maybe it is he is scared, maybe he is thinking too much, but he does not lack hockey sense.

That is what makes him so frustrating. he is a 5 tool player (in baseball terms), who hasn't put it all together. Will he ever, who know, if he doesn't he won't be the first nor the last.
- LAHawk

Good post. I say they give him time for the light to go on. Especially if he's dedicated to being a quality top six player.

Well Mohel...if what we see out there is him working at his hardest....I am afraid we have a whole different level of problem. I almost hope it is an effort thing, that he can learn to snap out of......
- hawk35

I am put upon to say, that for me, it is difficult now with the changes in philosophy on how forwards play all three zones to say I as a fan, as an evaluator, and as even a TV viewer I am sure I know what "working hardest" entails.

Now they seems to be a big emophasis on forwards not letting the actions they take slow their flow...that they TRY to not get tangles and keep pace, as opposed to our by gone eras where, as fans, we saw the Lou Angotti's, Matthew Barnaby's, Verbeek's, Steve Thomas' renegading to make things happen, as opposed to the flowing lean in stick checks that Dach is brilliant at...my point is with Nylander, I will be happy when the jury is in or OUT on him after his body of work, improvement, and growth is finally determined and acted upon...
I just don't think it is now, so I don't stress on his departure, because there is little ready to fill what he MIGHT eventually fill as a player...
WHEN YOUR ORGANIZATION really doesn't have one guy on the 2020 edition of TSN Hockey’s list of the Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects, it seems smart as an organization to take a chance on Nylander Strome, etc...it is the only way "3 time Cup winners in transition" can try and close the drafting gap...

Well Mohel...if what we see out there is him working at his hardest....I am afraid we have a whole different level of problem. I almost hope it is an effort thing, that he can learn to snap out of......
- hawk35

Could be he's not comfortable yet in knowing what he's supposed to do. Thinking instead of reacting can look like laziness, imo.

Ohh no! We suck again!

Bummer of a loss last night. It's games like this that make you wanna pull your hair out.

Love that we seem to have fixed our problem on PK and the team isn't giving up a goal every time we're down a man. You actually feel pretty confident that they will kill it off which is refreshing after the past few years.

Now the work needs to be done on the PP. They've got enough pieces that are offensively gifted to make a difference, but holy hell you'd think they have anchors and can't move on the PP. There's no movement, everyone seems afraid to make a bad play and thus doesn't wanna be out of "position" or shoot the puck on net and have it dumped down. If they wanna take that next step to being a Playoff team anytime soon this is a big area that can take you from a middling team to a Playoff team.

Disappointed that Nylander didn't come out with more urgency last night. Instead he looked tentative and worried about making mistakes and thus....naturally...made more mistakes. I don't think it's a matter of the kid not carrying, if anything it might be a case of the kid caring too much, and letting the pressure exceed the pleasure of playing the game. Someone like Toews or Kane needs to pull him aside and help him relax and play freely out there to let his skill show through.

Hopefully Strome isn't out for too long. Looked pretty nasty last night, but let's hope it looked worse than it actually was. Even still the depth of this team is being tested hard. Stan is going to make a move or two just to get some NHL depth for this team. Shame Kris Versteeg decided he wasn't fit for the job of player coach in Rockford otherwise he'd probably be getting a shot right now if he's gonna miss any length of time. Having Aleksi Saarela around would be nice as well. Bet that kid is kicking himself for asking out of here and being stuck in the AHL for Florida. He definitely would be playing if he had stayed here, but oh well. Hindsight is 20/20.

Wonder if Stan would have the balls to trade Gus to bring in a forward who could help the team now (more than just a bottom six journeymen or AHL guy) and give Koekkoek and McCoshen or Carlsson some play
- Savetheembers33

thats been a problem for years: the good ole days with toews, kane, sharp, hossa, keith and seab they had massive droughts...how could a team with all that talent just have such a poor and unreliable pp...

i actually thought their movement was pretty good the other night on the pp and 6v5. but the movement did not generate any quality chances... to heavy of a reliance on the kane halfboard and set up the weak side one timer (how many shanks, broken sticks, missed passes have we seen)....HAS NOT WORKED. I would like to kane and adb work lower behind the goaline get the goalie and defense looking back behind the net and then mix up with movement from the other 3 players playing gaps toward the net...

It is interesting how the 2016 draft has turned out (so far):

- from the players selected 1 thru 8, Mathews, Laine, P.L. Dubois, Mathew Tkachuk and Clayton Keller are legit NHL'ers who are solid fixtures on their teams and now have big bucks contracts.

- the other 3 - Puljujarvi, Juolevi and Nylander are basically nowhere to be found.

Nylander was drafted 8th overall on the basis of 1 season in the OHL when he notched 75 points. Risky pick by the Sabres and think they wouldn't now rather have Charlie McAvoy instead? Something tells me another part of being selected that high was name recognition with his brother in Toronto and father being an ex NHL'er.
- RickJ

In the last blog, I tried to hit on how teams like the Sabres seem to always gamble on these high skilled scorer types (even drafting dynamic but non work out warriors Casey Mittelstadt) over less dynamic steady NHL possibles...

Puljujarvi sold us and AHO m might have had much to do with his success.
and Colrado's Jost is still improving but it is not apparent unless you iso on him.

Sam Steel others they will need that time, and many in that class are in teams systems and the teams are not stressing if their development is "finished."

thats been a problem for years: the good ole days with toews, kane, sharp, hossa, keith and seab they had massive droughts...how could a team with all that talent just have such a poor and unreliable pp...

i actually thought their movement was pretty good the other night on the pp and 6v5. but the movement did not generate any quality chances... to heavy of a reliance on the kane halfboard and set up the weak side one timer (how many shanks, broken sticks, missed passes have we seen)....HAS NOT WORKED. I would like to kane and adb work lower behind the goaline get the goalie and defense looking back behind the net and then mix up with movement from the other 3 players playing gaps toward the net...
- bogiedoc

They missed Strome on the PP stationed behind the net. He is better at that position than Toews, he sees and makes better passes. Toews is better in front of the net or on the left half boards.

Re: Powerplay

I think it's great they run it through Kaner, but somehow I am giving Boqvist the puck with the emphasis he should, on possession, see if he can bust a seam forward and take a shot instead continuing the merry-go-round that seems to always be back to Kaner, because it seems like the opposition has little to diagnose, and it just becomes Kane's quick play after the puck arrives with a 50/50 that they play him correctly.

That make sense?
- wiz1901

Hawks spend too much time and energy getting the puck to Kane who holds on to the puck for a 8 Mississippi count....

Re: Powerplay

I think it's great they run it through Kaner, but somehow I am giving Boqvist the puck with the emphasis he should, on possession, see if he can bust a seam forward and take a shot instead continuing the merry-go-round that seems to always be back to Kaner, because it seems like the opposition has little to diagnose, and it just becomes Kane's quick play after the puck arrives with a 50/50 that they play him correctly.

That make sense?
- wiz1901

Definitely. The "puck stops here" too often with Kane. Heard one of the guys covering the team postulate that it was because the other players are so worried about their ability to catch one of his tape-to-tape passes on the move, that they freeze. Better if Boqvist QBs and Kane uses his vision and skill to move with the other guys into a position where he can score or set up a tic-tac-toe goal.