I keep seeing "trade him for future assets" type of suggestions. IMO he IS that asset. He's not exactly old, not even close. He could be a very valuable middle 6 winger over the next 3-4 seasons(our contending window with 88 still being elite). We have plenty of top tier forward talent and plenty of 4th liners, we need those secondary type of scoring pieces(we were sorely lacking a true 3rd line in last years bubble playoffs).
- SimpleJack

Well, SJ, you're a rosy optimist who believes that the team will contend next year. If Stan agrees, he would likely sign him (if the demands were reasonable). Some are not as optimistic as are you. This group feels they are 2-3 years from being very good. If Stan believes this, a trade is more likely.

C’mon, the wimp can’t play through a little bump on the head. In my day you shook it off and continued to play. Players these days are so soft!
- paulr

In your day the fans arrived on horseback.

Beaudin is officially in the doghouse. Ugly turnover leads to a SH goal. Lets see how he responds with his play.
- SimpleJack

JC put him right back out there

Passing looks like poop tonight

Well, SJ, you're a rosy optimist who believes that the team will contend next year. If Stan agrees, he would likely sign him (if the demands were reasonable). Some are not as optimistic as are you. This group feels they are 2-3 years from being very good. If Stan believes this, a trade is more likely.
- mohel

We won a playoff series a year ago, are improved again this season(despite all the injuries/missing pieces), and will be getting several pieces back next season and several others with added experience/growth....it would be foolish to not think we're a playoff team next season. And if we can at least make it to the playoffs with Kane and and a good goalie, I'd consider us a contender. The trajectory is pointed towards the sky with this current roster and the way things are coming together. Certainly doesn't seem like a team that's gonna be regressing or floating around in mediocrity. If healthy(not even including Toews) we're gonna be a DANGEROUS team come next season. I don't think we need to wait 2-3 years.

Nobody will want anything to do with Big Z tonight with that big herpes thing he's sporting.

JC put him right back out there
- LAHawk

That's always a good thing. I like JC lately. In fact, I've never really not liked him.

That's always a good thing. I like JC lately. In fact, I've never really not liked him.
- SimpleJack

No one has ever disliked JC.

We won a playoff series a year ago, are improved again this season(despite all the injuries/missing pieces), and will be getting several pieces back next season and several others with added experience/growth....it would be foolish to not think we're a playoff team next season. And if we can at least make it to the playoffs with Kane and and a good goalie, I'd consider us a contender. The trajectory is pointed towards the sky with this current roster and the way things are coming together. Certainly doesn't seem like a team that's gonna be regressing or floating around in mediocrity. If healthy(not even including Toews) we're gonna be a DANGEROUS team come next season. I don't think we need to wait 2-3 years.
- SimpleJack

There's an interesting article at 2nd City about the Hawks 5-on-5 play this year. As I said, some don't have the same optimism as you.

I am going to start calling Hagel and Highmore Sikura 1 and Sikura 2

No one has ever disliked JC.
- paulr

Nice one, I just spit my coffee all over my shirt

Only down 1 goal after that 1st period, I'll take it, that was an ugly period.

No one has ever disliked JC.
- paulr

Pontius Pilate would like a word, Chief.

There's an interesting article at 2nd City about the Hawks 5-on-5 play this year. As I said, some don't have the same optimism as you.
- mohel

Uh oh. Are we like dead last in 5v5 CF%? I actually haven't even looked into our advanced metrics yet this season.

This season i wouldn't expect much dominance with the fancy stats(next season's roster will be much stronger, for many obvious reasons). Lankinen has been standing on his head a lot, but we needed to find a goalie anyways. That was a major piece to the puzzle.

No one has ever disliked JC.
- paulr

Nope. Not one person. EVER.

So from what i can gather(having just taken a look)....at 5v5 its our shooting % that's holding us back. We're actually top 5 in expected GF at 5v5. The CF% is sub .500, but not THAT bad. And again....this is all premature(judging our team 5v5 when we're depleted and still developing several players). Come next season I think we'll be in a better position to understand exactly where we are as a team by looking at those kinda metrics.

Did i scare everyone away?

ok....I'm just gonna shut up now...

Man i thought Kampf was going to f that up, nice Mitchell parks his ass in front of the net and is rewarded

Yea!

The future is VERY bright

Fun times ahead!!!

Every time Laine is on the ice, he is staring at Big Z

This reminds me of last years team with all these careless turnovers and the sloppy play. But still lots to like though, including the score.

Pontius Pilate would like a word, Chief.
- mohel

He washed his hands and sealed his fate

This reminds me of last years team with all these careless turnovers and the sloppy play. But still lots to like though, including the score.
- SimpleJack

Difference is this years team busts it’s ass to get the puck back.

Geez, game of giveaways tonight.