Justin if the hawks do trade AA what teams would be interested and would the hawks be looking to get back. Any chance Hawks shopped their 8th overall pick? I posted this in the last blog seeing that the jets are headed in the same way the hawks were by having to pay upcoming players and their cap situation could get dicey would trade the 27th pick for morriesy or combination of lowery and chariot the other question would the jets do that trade or trade. If I was in bowman's shoes I would think hard about listening to offers for Keith. The only reason I say this I don't see the hawks being a serious contender for least 3 to 5 years by then Keith value won't be much since he well into his late 30's. Toronto Phily Boston Pitt Washington team friendly deal I would pull the trigger if the right package came around but what that look like.

Keep up the good work Justin enjoy your blog and Go HOGS!!!
- Scott1977

Oh and the Jets aren't trading Morrissey. He's turned into one of their best defencemen and is shutting down top lines at 22-years old or however young he is.

Hawks have been linked to Chariot in the past.

Hey Scott - I haven't heard any specific teams but the one that jumps out to me is Montreal.

They need at least 2 Cs IMO. They will be in on Tavares but would be able to afford both with the cap room they have.

In terms of return... I would say that it could vary with an AA trade as more pieces could be heading with him depending on the partner/of it happens at all.

I think you'd see a solid roster player and pick/prospect coming back for him.

And also keep in mind they would have to have a backup plan or have acquired a centre in FA/trade already or this wouldn't make sense.

The Hawks know they need to improve at C and they like Anisimov as a player but if the stars align, I can see them going in a different direction and moving him.
- Justin Lowe

I think the bolded part would be the same requirement if Keith is being shopped around. I'm sure the return would be quite favorable for the Hawks, but Keith's replacement would need to be secured first or be a part of the trade itself.

Oh and the Jets aren't trading Morrissey. He's turned into one of their best defencemen and is shutting down top lines at 22-years old or however young he is.

Hawks have been linked to Chariot in the past.
- Justin Lowe

I wonder if Chariot is on the outs in Winnipeg. Late in the season he had a fight with Wheeler during Jets practice and I want to say that wasn't the first time they've butted heads. Winning does mend bridges so who knows. Regardless, Chariot would be worth pursuing.

Oh and the Jets aren't trading Morrissey. He's turned into one of their best defencemen and is shutting down top lines at 22-years old or however young he is.

Hawks have been linked to Chariot in the past.
- Justin Lowe

Ok thanks just trying to figure out what hawks plans are and what type of team they want to be if they can resemble the 2010 team strong down solid d and can role 4 lines and play anyway . one thing that hawks are a shutdown tandem on d and shutdown center like bolland kruger AA is not that in my opinion smaltz is not a center to small cannot win faceoffs and doesn't have that just can't finger on it just to passive on left wing i think can be a special player. Thanks again JL for insight.

Kempny is gunna help Ovi get his Cup LOL

Kempny is having a terrible game. Easy to understand why the hawks gave up on him. They really don’t need a guy with his combination of size, grit and shot.

Kempny is gunna help Ovi get his Cup LOL
- EnzoD

Conn Smythe

Lemony having a terrible game. Easy to understand why the hawks gave up on him. They really don’t need a guy with his combination of size, grit and shot.
- Spec41971

That Lemony is a superstar...another massive fail by Bowman.

I can tolerate mike milbury in the studio but he adds nothing to the game cast as the analyst. Seems like they are getting more from boucher(?) between the benches.

Since I can’t cheer for the hawks, the only thing I hoped for was the bruins, Pens and Preds being eliminated. Didn’t think they would all be out before the conference finals but it has created a unique situation for me in that I don’t care which of the four remaining teams win the cup. It’s a rare chance to just sit back and enjoy the hockey without any emotional tie-in pro or con.

That’s an exciting play: leaving a 6th skater hanging around center ice for the stretch pass. Worked to perfection

And then a goal seconds into the resultant power play. Quite a turnaround.

BTW.. 3-2 Hoggers in the 2nd.

Franson, Dido and Dalhstrom with the goals.

I'm less concerned with the forwards (as far as the actual players we have). My concerns are with the blueline and the the overall structure of how they play. It appears that they go through these funks where there is no support (pinching D-man isn't covered, one guy skating into the zone without support). To my eye they have stretches of periods or even games where this is the case instead of a once or twice occurrence during a game. I'd love for them to all get on the same page.
- Chunk

The problem actually starts with the forwards. None of them can hold a puck in the zone longer than a one and done rush. The lack of a hard forecheck leads to the team playing on their heels, always chasing back and/or getting caught in odd man rushes.

Ulf’s compensation move for the lame forecheck was to pinch a D man. And then...odd man rush time.

And why is there no forecheck? Toews is afraid of contact, and the rest of the guys are too small or too timid to be intimidating to anyone. So they get rag dolled off of the boards after the inital rush. Bottom line - no size and not enough sack.

Even an all star blue line crew gets worn down playing in their zone all night. Then throw in four of six D guys being pretty new to the NHL game and its the Benny Hill show in the D zone with 10+ grade A SOG against every night.

Watch all of the teams still in it - speed, skill AND nasty. Of the remaining teams, those with the best goalies will advance - Vegas and Tampa. Winnipeg is an A goalie away from being a dominant team for a while.

4 -2 Hogs. Ejdsell penalty shot

4 -2 Hogs
- ksilvy58

Everyone go watch at Ejdsell's penalty shot goal he just scored to make it 4-2.

He has 5 goals inhis last 5 games.

The problem actually starts with the forwards. None of them can hold a puck in the zone longer than a one and done rush. The lack of a hard forecheck leads to the team playing on their heels, always chasing back and/or getting caught in odd man rushes.

Ulf’s compensation move for the lame forecheck was to pinch a D man. And then...odd man rush time.

And why is there no forecheck? Toews is afraid of contact, and the rest of the guys are too small or too timid to be intimidating to anyone. So they get rag dolled off of the boards after the inital rush. Bottom line - no size and not enough sack.

Even an all star blue line crew gets worn down playing in their zone all night. Then throw in four of six D guys being pretty new to the NHL game and its the Benny Hill show in the D zone with 10+ grade A SOG against every night.

Watch all of the teams still in it - speed, skill AND nasty. Of the remaining teams, those with the best goalies will advance - Vegas and Tampa. Winnipeg is an A goalie away from being a dominant team for a while.
- Return of the Roar

Hellebucyk is plenty good enough with the team they have in front of him.

And once the Preds rinse their choke goaltender permanently and get themselves an adequate playoff performer, they will be right there.

Everyone go watch at Ejdsell's penalty shot goal he just scored to make it 4-2.

He has 5 goals inhis last 5 games.
- Justin Lowe

Link?

Everyone go watch at Ejdsell's penalty shot goal he just scored to make it 4-2.

He has 5 goals inhis last 5 games.
- Justin Lowe

His confidence looks like it is growing.

Link?
- Dieselhead

https://twitter.com/goice...s/995115465621032961?s=19

5 - 2 Haaags.

Tampa ain't winning nothing if their stars don't show up. (Before it's 4 - 0)


Vegas or bust.

Everyone go watch at Ejdsell's penalty shot goal he just scored to make it 4-2.

He has 5 goals inhis last 5 games.
- Justin Lowe

Seems like bowman made a good trade diamond in the ruff possibly good for him

Seems like bowman made a good trade diamond in the ruff possibly good for him
- Scott1977

I like him but I think the jury will be out if he can translate that to NHL speed.

I can tolerate mike milbury in the studio but he adds nothing to the game cast as the analyst. Seems like they are getting more from boucher(?) between the benches.
- Spec41971

What is milburys purpose? Curmudgeons like hockey too?

This years final 4 a year ago

Jets- Missed the playoffs
Tampa- Missed the playoffs
Caps- Lost in Round 1
Vegas- Didn’t Exist