We’ll see what happens.
- Z3Hawk

That bum better get his act together.

They should seriously consider the 1-3-1 system with what they have to work with.

And no talk of boring play. Boring wins outweigh "exciting" losses any day in my book.
- Return of the Roar

I've thought the same thing and agree with you. When Nashville knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs, they used a trap ... don't know if it was 1-3-1, but used their speed to counter attack .... something the Hawks do have right now. Maybe those neutral zone turn overs that the Hawks commit, will lessen and the opposition will turn it over more

I've thought the same thing and agree with you. When Nashville knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs, they used a trap ... don't know if it was 1-3-1, but used their speed to counter attack .... something the Hawks do have right now. Maybe those neutral zone turn overs that the Hawks commit, will lessen and the opposition will turn it over more
- chuckdahammer

On your last point, hope so too. But it would help immensely if the Hawks consistently applied pressure and didn't let the other team gain their offensive zone so easily. Stick check when appropriate while also taking the body whenever appropriate as well. Force the puck handler to make ill advised plays and sloppy or telegraphed passes.

Sikura is getting a shot to play with some skill with Schmaltz.

The Keith-Joki experiment begins. It would reeeeaaallly help the Hawks out if that became a successful pairing.

Manning and Seabrook could be scary.
- Justin Lowe

They not using Schmaltz as center or trying to beef up AA's stats to move him?

it is possible that someone like Manning could get 4th line wing minutes (Q has done this in the past) if they want some "grit" at forward ones Murphy/Forsling come back.
- breadbag

Didn't think about that possibility with Manning or even Davidson. Although not all under Q's watch, past defensemen who have played 4th line wing IIRC included Montador, Dempsey, and Hendry. Maybe also Hamilton and Poapst.

They not using Schmaltz as center or trying to beef up AA's stats to move him?
- fattybeef

is Schmaltz realistically a Cup winning team C1 or C2? i dont see it. Cat yes. Schmaltz no

is Schmaltz realistically a Cup winning team C1 or C2? i dont see it. Cat yes. Schmaltz no
- glennjpawlak22

Boqvist will play for the hawks next year out of necessity not because he is ready. Not sold on smaltz being second line savior and not your prototypical playoff player but we ll see plus bowman will probably overpay him and a nmt clause to boot.

Brandon Saad needs to be playing Top 6 when the RS starts. This is a guy who was a stud for the Hawks from 2012-15 and looks completely lost and lacking confidence since about the 2nd week of October 2017. Hawks need him playing closer to 20 minutes a night in all situations, opposed to the 15 minutes he's been playing lately. WTF happend to Saad?? he looks less explosive with his skating, and his puck control/playmaking are lacking as well.

Sikura is getting a shot to play with some skill with Schmaltz.

The Keith-Joki experiment begins. It would reeeeaaallly help the Hawks out if that became a successful pairing.

Manning and Seabrook could be scary.
- Justin Lowe

This makes me think that Sikura/Kampf could be the ones on the bubble at the moment. Also gotta wonder if maybe Davidson will slide into that second pair opposite Seabrook. I think they were trying that last game at times (Davidson was out there when Seabrook made the errant pass behind the net)

Didn't think about that possibility with Manning or even Davidson. Although not all under Q's watch, past defensemen who have played 4th line wing IIRC included Montador, Dempsey, and Hendry. Maybe also Hamilton and Poapst.
- AEL_Fox

It isn't a usual thing for sure, but it can happen. I mean, I know they don't want to carry extra dmen, but if Jokiharju sticks with the Hawks, then it could get crowded. Barring any other injuries...

Keith
Seabrook
Rutta
Gustafsson
Murphy
Manning
Davidson

Jokiharju - Waiver Exempt
Forsling - Waiver Exempt

Glad things continue to move in the right direction with CC.


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Quenneville said the plan is still for Crawford to practice with the team next week


Sounds like he could be playing before we know it.

Glad things continue to move in the right direction with CC.


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Quenneville said the plan is still for Crawford to practice with the team next week


Sounds like he could be playing before we know it.
- breadbag

Would be HUGE, hopefully he is 120% ready to go and not just 95 or 98%%.

Glad things continue to move in the right direction with CC.


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Quenneville said the plan is still for Crawford to practice with the team next week


Sounds like he could be playing before we know it.
- breadbag

I want to see Crawford back as much as anyone, but I hope he doesn't come back until he's 100%.

Would be HUGE, hopefully he is 120% ready to go and not just 95 or 98%%.
- glennjpawlak22

Oh, I agree. Seems like they are taking the kid gloves approach so far, so probably he will be. They've waited this long, and I don't think he'd be joining practice if he wasn't 100% ready to.

Oh, I agree. Seems like they are taking the kid gloves approach so far, so probably he will be. They've waited this long, and I don't think he'd be joining practice if he wasn't 100% ready to.
- breadbag

Who cares? He’s not elite anyway.

Brandon Saad needs to be playing Top 6 when the RS starts. This is a guy who was a stud for the Hawks from 2012-15 and looks completely lost and lacking confidence since about the 2nd week of October 2017. Hawks need him playing closer to 20 minutes a night in all situations, opposed to the 15 minutes he's been playing lately. WTF happend to Saad?? he looks less explosive with his skating, and his puck control/playmaking are lacking as well.
- EnzoD

Married Life...

is Schmaltz realistically a Cup winning team C1 or C2? i dont see it. Cat yes. Schmaltz no
- glennjpawlak22

Not sure if I'm reading your post correctly but are you wanting DeBrincat to be a top 6 center?

I'm fine with disagreeing but I think Schmaltz is a top 6 center. The play of the entire team as a cohesive unit will dictate whether or not they are Cup caliber.

Boqvist will play for the hawks next year out of necessity not because he is ready. Not sold on smaltz being second line savior and not your prototypical playoff player but we ll see plus bowman will probably overpay him and a nmt clause to boot.
- Scott1977

For Boqvist making the team next season, that remains to be seen but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that he will be truly ready a year from now. His 3-year projection around draft day was likely him being humble to account for the "worst" case scenario of him taking that long to be NHL ready. I'm leaning towards him making the team a year from now.

As for Schmaltz, he doesn't need to be a savior. He just needs to play his role and play to his strengths. His teammates need to support and complement him (and vice versa).

Not sure if I'm reading your post correctly but are you wanting DeBrincat to be a top 6 center?

I'm fine with disagreeing but I think Schmaltz is a top 6 center. The play of the entire team as a cohesive unit will dictate whether or not they are Cup caliber.
- AEL_Fox

I think on paper, he puts up top 6 C like numbers. Points were good, he played some D and was a takeaway leader, was playing in all situations on the PK/PP. I think it might be a question of how many players are legit top 6 C on a cup winning team at 22 years old? There can be exceptions, but I think most guys in that situation that win a cup at that age as a top 6 center are pretty damn special players.

Glad things continue to move in the right direction with CC.


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Quenneville said the plan is still for Crawford to practice with the team next week


Sounds like he could be playing before we know it.
- breadbag

Great to hear, grest news. Just that much closer to a Ward-less net.

Not sure if I'm reading your post correctly but are you wanting DeBrincat to be a top 6 center?

I'm fine with disagreeing but I think Schmaltz is a top 6 center. The play of the entire team as a cohesive unit will dictate whether or not they are Cup caliber.
- AEL_Fox

no - not saying Cat is a C. Cat and Schmaltz seem to be linked together to offer them longer term contracts after this season. i am saying i would LT Cat and Schmaltz would have to prove to me this season that he is worthy of a LT contract - thus far his play is much too inconsistent. thats all i am saying

Brandon Saad needs to be playing Top 6 when the RS starts. This is a guy who was a stud for the Hawks from 2012-15 and looks completely lost and lacking confidence since about the 2nd week of October 2017. Hawks need him playing closer to 20 minutes a night in all situations, opposed to the 15 minutes he's been playing lately. WTF happend to Saad?? he looks less explosive with his skating, and his puck control/playmaking are lacking as well.
- EnzoD

I'm so glad he stopped being a top 6 6mil player. I thought he was going to take that next step and ride out his prime years with the hawks. Those years might have already been had. I hope he gets this funk sorted out. A bounce back year has been predicted ad nauseum, but it's not showing. My fingers are still crossed for him. He needs to find that top 6 role again.

I'm so glad he stopped being a top 6 6mil player. I thought he was going to take that next step and ride out his prime years with the hawks. Those years might have already been had. I hope he gets this funk sorted out. A bounce back year has been predicted ad nauseum, but it's not showing. My fingers are still crossed for him. He needs to find that top 6 role again.
- I Am The Breadman

Saad has NOT looked good this preseason - he is NOT the SAAD Father!!!!

From Tanner Blog - Kool Aid!!!!

On defense Oesterle was looking to be the odd man out because other guys competing for his spot are more physical and more right handed, two things the Coyotes lack on their blueline.

But Oesterle is a very good bottom pairing player and he's got upside. I think the Coyotes will soon learn that he is a necessity.

From Tanner Blog - Kool Aid!!!!

On defense Oesterle was looking to be the odd man out because other guys competing for his spot are more physical and more right handed, two things the Coyotes lack on their blueline.

But Oesterle is a very good bottom pairing player and he's got upside. I think the Coyotes will soon learn that he is a necessity.
- glennjpawlak22

But but but but he was the centerpiece of that trade. We got fleeced. He was the crown jewel of all dmen.

Bleh!