Justin Lowe: What You Can Expect This Season
There is already a lot of skepticism around this Hawks team being a playoff calibre crew this year.

While I'm disappointed myself that Stan didn't go do more this offseason, I'm going to remain cautiously numb to how this team will actually look when it hits the ice tomorrow.

It's going to be an interesting year, and if all else, it's a place where we can all congregate and kill some time when we should be working and/or listening to our spouses.

First! Go Hawks. Let's play hockey.

First goal is Duncan Keith on the power play. Why not?

Justin, thank you for all you do for our online community. Love your blogs and love our group therapy, er I mean, conversations on the boards. Even though I'm very lucky to enjoy my day job, I do also enjoy having this daily distraction to liven things up.

First goal of the year, although I think it would be amusing if someone from the bottom 6 (other than Anisimov) did, I'm going to go with Seabrook. Feeling that some of his lost mojo is coming back.

Same with Toews but still going with #7. The captain will score later in the game.

First! Go Hawks. Let's play hockey.

First goal is Duncan Keith on the power play. Why not?
- hpk90

I love it!

I'm rooting for Keith this year.

Justin, thank you for all you do for our online community. Love your blogs and love our group therapy, er I mean, conversations on the boards. Even though I'm very lucky to enjoy my day job, I do also enjoy having this daily distraction to liven things up.

First goal the year, although I think it would be amusing if someone from the bottom 6 (other than Anisimov) did, I'm going to go with Seabrook. Feeling that some of his lost mojo is coming back.

Same with Toews but still going with #7. The captain will score later in the game.
- AEL_Fox

You're most welcome. Thanks to you and everyone else for joining in and engaging so much on these boards!

JL, thanks for your efforts. I'm actually looking forward to a season where the expectations ( from the fans POV) are not that high.

Let's have a good season. Everyone, keep your sticks on the ice, and your heads up!.

I think that the first goal is going to be by Toews in the first 5 minutes of the game.

JL, thanks for your efforts. I'm actually looking forward to a season where the expectations ( from the fans POV) are not that high.

Let's have a good season. Everyone, keep your sticks on the ice, and your heads up!.
- powerenforcer

Well put, sir!

Excited as well... even though I'm sitting downtown Toronto and surrounded by all these stinkin' Leafs fans. ha.

It's actually reminiscent of that time in the fall of 2009 when we all knew the Hawks were going to be dominant and couldn't wait for the season to begin!

Great effort and comprehensive job. Well done and I look forward to your blog posts. Game on Justin.

Hopefully they crush Ottawa....cause Ottawa is horrible.
If they lose, oh my it will be a very long season.

Well put, sir!

Excited as well... even though I'm sitting downtown Toronto and surrounded by all these stinkin' Leafs fans. ha.

It's actually reminiscent of that time in the fall of 2009 when we all knew the Hawks were going to be dominant and couldn't wait for the season to begin!
- Justin Lowe

The Leafs games this year should be mostly high scoring exciting games to watch. As the leafs will definitely score a lot of goals, but I have a feeling they will let a lot in too.

Hey Justin, definitely appreciate all your efforts since taking over and looking forward to some of your new wrinkles this season...especially some scouting intel on the growth and development of guys like Boqvist and Entwistle, as well as an occasional mailbag or questions blog.

I’m also with PE, in that I’m not expecting a lot this year but also wouldn’t be completely shocked if they were to sneak into the playoffs.

I think there are a lot of interesting storylines this year and one will be Q’s ability to let out a bit more leash with guys like Joker and Gus. Live with some of the mistakes and let them learn. I get he’s coaching for his gig this year but maybe Q falling on the sword paves the way for the greater good should they come up short. Tough ask.

DROP THE PUCK ALREADY!!!!

GO HAWKS!!!!

Hopefully they crush Ottawa....cause Ottawa is horrible.
If they lose, oh my it will be a very long season.
- Hawkster

Yes because definitive conclusions can be made after one game...see Pens vs Hawks last season.

From the last blog, I’ll go DeBrincat with the 1st.

I love it!

I'm rooting for Keith this year.
- Justin Lowe

I'm glad he got that 2nd goal and didn't end up with that historic worst non-zero shooting percentage for a season.

Yes because definitive conclusions can be made after one game...see Pens vs Hawks last season.

From the last blog, I’ll go DeBrincat with the 1st.
- HawkintheD

Season is obviously not judged on one game but if they can't beat Ottawa it would be an auspicious start.

But I'm sure we will win so no worry ! Go Hawks

First goal of the year will be in game 2 by 88

Great blog, I continue to look forward to whatever you put out, but I'm also excited for the "new" additions/segments you have lined up.

I totally agree with you on Seabs and Toews, they look like their old selves, not their "old" selves. Keith and Saad still have a lot to prove, at least I'm still not entirely impressed by them or think they are ready to 180 from last season. The season is very young and could do just that. With that said, the second line could score the first goal. Schmaltz is breaking from passing, Saad has a lot to prove and Kane ... enough said. That's where the first goal is coming from.

I hope this defense can hold its ground until A) Murphy can come back and maybe even some early call-ups can chip in and B) hold down the fort until Crawford comes back. He hides a lot of hawks flaws. I'm prepared to believe in Forsberg more than Ward, but Ward started the last game and played well. He got the nod, so he needs to run with that opportunity.

The Leafs games this year should be mostly high scoring exciting games to watch. As the leafs will definitely score a lot of goals, but I have a feeling they will let a lot in too.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Yeah I agree, because they have a bad defense and shakey goaltender ...... hey, wait a second

Hey Justin. Thanks for the hard work.

As someone who thinks about hockey pretty much 24/7, (as documented by serial commenting) I enjoy having the place to talk about the Hawks.

I think this is a season where we just have to take a step back and remember, this is entertainment and they are in a 31 (I guess maybe soon to be 32) team league. There will be some down years (just hopefully not the mess of 1998-2007) and at least we are still getting to see some of the best players the Hawks have ever had. It seems like not long ago these guys were rookies. The time will fly and we'll be seeing them ride off into the sunset in future seasons. I'll take this uncertainty over a team who's hopes depend on the likes of Tyler Arnason, Mark Bell and Kyle Calder.

Hey Justin, definitely appreciate all your efforts since taking over and looking forward to some of your new wrinkles this season...especially some scouting intel on the growth and development of guys like Boqvist and Entwistle, as well as an occasional mailbag or questions blog.

I’m also with PE, in that I’m not expecting a lot this year but also wouldn’t be completely shocked if they were to sneak into the playoffs.

I think there are a lot of interesting storylines this year and one will be Q’s ability to let out a bit more leash with guys like Joker and Gus. Live with some of the mistakes and let them learn. I get he’s coaching for his gig this year but maybe Q falling on the sword paves the way for the greater good should they come up short. Tough ask.
- HawkintheD

Crawford is just the man to do it. He's top three in the league, in my book.

Hey Justin. Thanks for the hard work.

As someone who thinks about hockey pretty much 24/7, (as documented by serial commenting) I enjoy having the place to talk about the Hawks.

I think this is a season where we just have to take a step back and remember, this is entertainment and they are in a 31 (I guess maybe soon to be 32) team league. There will be some down years (just hopefully not the mess of 1998-2007) and at least we are still getting to see some of the best players the Hawks have ever had. It seems like not long ago these guys were rookies. The time will fly and we'll be seeing them ride off into the sunset in future seasons. I'll take this uncertainty over a team who's hopes depend on the likes of Tyler Arnason, Mark Bell and Kyle Calder.
- breadbag

Do you or anyone know the specifics? When? Is it Seattle? Will the same rules of Las Vegas apply again? I'm going over a list in my head of who we could lose, and it seems like it will be a young forward.

36-38-8 = 80 points. Sad to say.

I'm really excited for this season

Do you or anyone know the specifics? When? Is it Seattle? Will the same rules of Las Vegas apply again? I'm going over a list in my head of who we could lose, and it seems like it will be a young forward.
- I Am The Breadman

I just heard something yesterday from my buddy that the NHL execs recommended granting Seattle an expansion team or something. I don't know how official it is, but sounds like it is coming.

Edit: from CBC news...

Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday the Board of Governors' executive committee recommended proceeding with Seattle's expansion application, with an eye on voting to approve the league's 32nd franchise in December.

The recommendation came a few hours after key stakeholders presented their case to the committee and hit it off enough that Seattle could be awarded the league's 32nd team two months from now.

"The notion is have the board vote on expansion," Bettman said. "And assuming, as I think everybody is, that it would be approved — I don't want to be presumptuous of the board's prerogative — but everything seems to be on track."