Justin Lowe: Hawks v. Capitals Primer
As it stands today, the Chicago Blackhawks are not in the playoffs. Chicago sits at 21 points, 3 points out of a Wild Card spot.

That's not bad considering how many have deemed this as a complete teardown of a season. However, most of us know that there's more to it (especially with this Hawks team) than just points in the standings.

Wow!!

Justin Lowe: Hawks v. Capitals Primer

As it stands today, the Chicago Blackhawks are not in the playoffs. Chicago sits at 21 points, 3 points out of a Wild Card spot.

That's not bad considering how many have deemed this as a complete teardown of a season. However, most of us know that there's more to it (especially with this Hawks team) than just points in the standings.
- Justin Lowe

Haha, I'm with you JL, Oshie and Kuznetsov can take the game off.

Didn't know about that Thanksgiving stat. I see a team slowly turning around with JC at the helm. You never know what can happen between now and the last game of the season. I expect a close match tonight, with the hawks getting the W. Adb finds the back of the net tonight.

The Caps have some heavy bodies up front so it probably makes sense to put some size on the back end to defend.

The Caps have some heavy bodies up front so it probably makes sense to put some size on the back end to defend.
- 67hawks

Martinsen better wallpaper Wilson to the boards.

Martinsen better wallpaper Wilson to the boards.
- I Am The Breadman

Wilson is the wild card I would worry about. Agreed that it would be nice if Martinsen and Hayden both took turns hitting him...... repeatedly.

It would be nice to put Forsling with Joki before Gustafson ruins Joki

Wilson is the wild card I would worry about. Agreed that it would be nice if Martinsen and Hayden both took turns hitting him...... repeatedly.
- Spec41971

Let sleeping dogs lie. If the Hawks start hitting Wilson, Wilson will start playing that game and the Hawks aren't built for it anymore.

I really wanna see the Hawks come out tonight and put on another good performance and walk away with some points. If they wanna continue to work towards getting this team to being in contention for a Playoff spot they need to build off of the momentum they've started since JC took over and walk away with points whenever they can. A win against the Stanley Cup Champs would do this team some good in the confidence department.

Let's hope that the Caps say "F" it and hold Holtby, Oshie, and Kuznetsov out of the game looking at the long term picture rather than trying to win one game. That being said, Hawks tend to lay a dud when they have the advantage in their favor so who knows

Yes we are down but not out by any means ...Anything can happen...Hopefully we can go on a roll... GO HAWKS GO

Wilson is the wild card I would worry about. Agreed that it would be nice if Martinsen and Hayden both took turns hitting him...... repeatedly.
- Spec41971

I haven't seen him play since he's been back, but I'd guess he's on somewhat of a short leash with the league and referees - and Reirden and others might be trying to hold him back.

I'm not big on taking Forsling out, but whether we like it or not, there is a notable investment in Manning, so it makes sense to keep him playing to try and build some confidence (and value) in his game. Kind of the same with Rutta, but I really wish they would just cut bait on him at this point and waive him.

Oddly enough, this might be one of the times that we wished that Forsling had one of those "terrible" contracts so that it wouldn't be as easy to send him down or keep him out of the lineup.

The Caps have some heavy bodies up front so it probably makes sense to put some size on the back end to defend.
- 67hawks

Ya but Rutta plays like he's 5'9 / 160 lbs.

Manning could make sense for that reason though.

It would be nice to put Forsling with Joki before Gustafson ruins Joki
- PatShart

Agree

Let sleeping dogs lie. If the Hawks start hitting Wilson, Wilson will start playing that game and the Hawks aren't built for it anymore.
- paulr

Agree. Don't wake him up. But if he comes out banging then Martinsen has to be a player. Might be a good opportunity for him.

shocked wilson has been thrown out or suspended again....when it does happen and it will...may it be for good..

BTW hawks never win in cap land..and usually play like crap...so not expecting much..

There must be more to the story regarding Forsling not playing - either he's sick or dinged or they're having a competition between Rutta and Manning for who gets to stay on the roster and who leaves. Otherwise how does it make sense for Forsling to not be in the lineup?

There must be more to the story regarding Forsling not playing - either he's sick or dinged or they're having a competition between Rutta and Manning for who gets to stay on the roster and who leaves. Otherwise how does it make sense for Forsling to not be in the lineup?
- EbonyRaptor

They are gonna face a serious roster crunch coming up here on the back end soon here (even when Davidson comes back he'll likely going straight to Rockford) and one of Rutta or Manning is gonna have to go so you might as well try and showcase them both and see who's got the best value and who you would like to keep out of the two

Could just be a chance to give Forsling a day of rest. Coming back from the wrist surgery there's gonna be some lingering issues with that they'll want to avoid from having any setbacks especially if/when one of Rutta or Manning are gone

They are gonna face a serious roster crunch coming up here on the back end soon here (even when Davidson comes back he'll likely going straight to Rockford) and one of Rutta or Manning is gonna have to go so you might as well try and showcase them both and see who's got the best value and who you would like to keep out of the two

Could just be a chance to give Forsling a day of rest. Coming back from the wrist surgery there's gonna be some lingering issues with that they'll want to avoid from having any setbacks especially if/when one of Rutta or Manning are gone
- Savetheembers33

In my opinion....Manning can go ANYTIME. The dude just can't play.....

In my opinion....Manning can go ANYTIME. The dude just can't play.....


- hawk35

Either or in a perfect world both but that's not gonna happen lol

Having ONE of them as the 7th D-Man would be the best case scenario and ride out Keith, Seabrook, Joki, Forsling, Murphy (when healthy), and Gus.

Today I heard a buddy of mine refer to Seabrook as Slowbrook. Felt bad laughing.

Totally watered down league. Agree there 100%.

I disagree with this accessment of Saad completely. Saad cares. Saad isn’t in it for himself. Saad will skate through walls when he is playing with confidence. Q handled him horribly this year. Treated him like an unimportant rookie moving him all over the line-up. Treated him with a lack of respect.

“Personality” isn’t really the most descriptive word here - caring, loyalty, good attitude and the lack of these attributes for Panarin are what we are talking about.

Also Saad does fine in front of the cameras - it may not be natural for him but he does it successfully. He is one of the few that step forward. Also for the poster who questions his smarts, it is just shyness - and don’t do this in any event, it is not cool.
- Z3Hawk

From the last blog, and I have a couple of other things to address.

I won't pretend to know what players think, but I will say what I've seen. Saad wanted 6 million after his elc was up (there were numerous stories about Saad wanting and not wanting the money, or the agent doing it) I don't care because Saad has his money. He had a hard time playing under another respected coach. Saad has a tough time with tough coaches, it looks like. He will be vocal when he is unhappy.

With how Q handled it, I said numerous times that Saad was an enigma. He went to the blue paint and wasn't finishing, wasn't getting the goals, whatever. I have liked Saad as a tough, scoring, and more complete player. I will always defend him in that respect. How was Q supposed to handle a player that wasn't producing? How was Q supposed to handle a top 6 talent making 6 million and not scoring? I don't have the answers, and I kept staying on Saad's side, but I understand playing on numerous lines. He's going to get bounced around, as StLBravesFan says, "In an effort to put the team in the best spot to win." You said that Saad will skate through walls when playing with confidence, my question is, he won't play that way when he isn't confident? I will admit that my eyes suck at times, but I don't see a change in play in Saad, he drives the net, making good plays, still good on the defensive side of the game, it's just that he is scoring now. A trend I hope continues for him.

Yeah, personality wasn't the best word to use, but I have just as many problems with Saad as I do Panarin. They both suck at handling tough situations. I know that Saad won't have Panarin points, he might lead in goals now, but I have a feeling that that will change by season's end. I like that Saad is more than a one-dimensional player.

Now that that is out of the way. Pdx, you said you would hunt down an article on JC? I was looking forward to that read. ToewsandKanefused, GOT can be gory (Red Wedding, Joffrey, heads on pikes, and so on) it just might not match-up to hanging and quartering. Also, where's BreadBag, it's been a little bit since he's been around? I like reading what he has to say.

I disagree with this accessment of Saad completely. Saad cares. Saad isn’t in it for himself. Saad will skate through walls when he is playing with confidence. Q handled him horribly this year. Treated him like an unimportant rookie moving him all over the line-up. Treated him with a lack of respect.

“Personality” isn’t really the most descriptive word here - caring, loyalty, good attitude and the lack of these attributes for Panarin are what we are talking about.

Also Saad does fine in front of the cameras - it may not be natural for him but he does it successfully. He is one of the few that step forward. Also for the poster who questions his smarts, it is just shyness - and don’t do this in any event, it is not cool.
- Z3Hawk

Believe that was me, and fine, "he's shy". I like him as a player and haven't seen anything that makes me think the guy's a total idiot or anything.

Maybe it's a by-product of being asked really dumb sports questions in interviews or athletes not wanting to go outside the lines when answering questions for fear of negative media attention.

I'm sure he's a nice kid but honestly, from interviews I've seen, I've never thought after..."Wow...very cerebral"...just sayin' and you're welcome to tell me different or post the interview that will change my mind.

Manning is another stellar signing by the great Stan Bowman.
You can showcase him all you want, but another ridiculous overpay for another #6 dman.

The Hawks are entering a really tough stretch here against some top end teams and Justin mentioned the obvious - that by Thanksgiving we usually have a good idea of who's going to make the playoffs for the season. And despite the McD predictions to the contrary I can't see this being a playoff team. Embrace the tank.

I'm also wondering what the numbers are looking like for McD's baby at Notre Dame come Jan 1 for the winter classic...? I'm sure those new unis are jumping off the shelves.

Nice to see Q tailgaiting at the Bears game Sunday night. Looks like he'll be content for a bit and look for the right situation to get back into coaching.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.