If Rutta is not 100% then he should be shelved until he's fully healed. Call up Dahlstrom to replace him. This way Davidson gets in to games on the Hawks and Hillman and Gilbert can start playing regularly in Rockford. Neither of them dressed again for the Hogs for their 2nd game.
- AEL_Fox

Personally I'm surprised the gentle giant isn't playing with the Blackhawks, because i agree Ruuta is terrible

Not arguing that, but his level of bad seems worse than last year to me.
- vabeachbear

I'm going to say this after winning 2 games, and it probably isn't news to anyone. Our top 2 lines are good. Somehow Saad and Kahun snuck in there. They are good players, but haven't earned the spots they were given. They are there just because of necessity, we don't have a lot of top 6 talent YET. Our bottom 6, I just won't talk about them because outside of AA and Kampf, they suck and blow. The d, Keith and Joki are great, great players and great together. Keith does not need a stay at home, Joki proved that. Outside of them, our d is lousy. I like Seabs, but he isnt playing like the Seabs that I like. Murphy could come back and help the team or Forsling could come back and take the next step and help the team. I'm holding my breath because I want them to. Davidson/Rutta/Manning are essentially the same player and maybe tonight they all could have a spot!? That doesn't scream competition to me. I like Gus, but wasn't impressed with him last night. I'm not expecting a whole sale trade by the deadline, but I would put money down on him being traded. I got nothing against Ward or Berg at the moment. We have a lot of bad players spread way out across our lines and d, only because we need them. The good news is two-part 1) they are winning, they won't always, but they play and come from behind like a certain hawks team that has won the cup before in the same fashion and 2) these crappy guys are just placeholders for the better players in Rock, other leagues/colleges, or unsigned. We might see a swarm of them next season, some this season DEFINITELY. Maybe blame Bowman for being ill prepared, sure, but the place we are in is the price of winning. We lost some decent prospects to get win-now players, some too high, but I'll take 3 cups any day. I'm optimistic that I will see a 4th soon. Maybe and probably not this year, but playoffs aren't out of the question, but soon.

Toews is looking great . You have to think he has had some nagging injuries the last few year. His skating looks so much better. If Forsling and Murphy can return and form a solid second pairing . Crawford can return aND continued where he left off Wow I've gone from being negative about this team to totally being totally optimistic about them , with just two wins .
Got to love sports.
Keith Jokiharju
Forsling Murphy
Gus Seabs
I think looks good on paper [/img]

Personally I'm surprised the gentle giant isn't playing with the Blackhawks, because i agree Ruuta is terrible
- BetweenTheDots

It's only two games so far for the Hogs but Dahlstrom has been playing relatively more physical than what I remember during his stint on the Hawks last year. He's not mashing people, just using his big frame more to separate opponents from the puck. If he can ramp that up more, he would endear himself very well with fans. While not a bad thing, I'm guessing the coaches just want him playing more consistent regardless of the physical element.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/vi...-that-much-harder~1508289

High praise from tonight's combatant Mathews on Kane.

well we all saw this coming from the blog of doom and gloom (yes me included) oldduffman is excluded...

2-0 with two come from behind OT winners by 19 and 88 while allowing 7 goals..

and so now they get to play everyone' darlings the over hyped maple leafs...
ok out on limb...first regulation win for the hawks is tonight...

well we all saw this coming from the blog of doom and gloom (yes me included) oldduffman is excluded...

2-0 with two come from behind OT winners by 19 and 88 while allowing 7 goals..

and so now they get to play everyone' darlings the over hyped maple leafs...
ok out on limb...first regulation win for the hawks is tonight...
- bogiedoc

There's actually a lot less doom and gloom then you think. I'm not. Zhawk has a bet with Enzo on definitely making the playoffs. Breadbag seems like a positive fellow as well.

I'm going to say this after winning 2 games, and it probably isn't news to anyone. Our top 2 lines are good. Somehow Saad and Kahun snuck in there.
- I Am The Breadman

I will say Saad creating net front presence last night led to Kaners goal and he actually looked a little better last night.

Kahun not hurting the first line and had a few key passes exciting the zone which the Hawks are having so much trouble with.

Gusto some of his passes last night, woof, but im all for him skating the puck out from goal line to blue line, very impressive

I'm going to say this after winning 2 games, and it probably isn't news to anyone. Our top 2 lines are good. Somehow Saad and Kahun snuck in there. They are good players, but haven't earned the spots they were given. They are there just because of necessity, we don't have a lot of top 6 talent YET. Our bottom 6, I just won't talk about them because outside of AA and Kampf, they suck and blow.
- I Am The Breadman

Just adding a different perspective on Saad. I feel he has the pedigree and track record to play top 6 and deserves to be there. Although he could stand to ratchet it up a notch or two, the 2nd game vs the Blues was much better. Played good defense and had a few scoring chances.

Saad assisted on the OT goal (I know, secondary assist off a blocked shot but still an assist) and was the main reason Schmaltz and Kane broke out for the Hawks 2nd goal. Saad didn't get an assist but that goal wouldn't have happened if it weren't for him creating a turnover.

There's actually a lot less doom and gloom then you think. I'm not. Zhawk has a bet with Enzo on definitely making the playoffs. Breadbag seems like a positive fellow as well.
- I Am The Breadman

Punch my ticket for the optimism train, too. I'll hang out in the "cautiously optimistic" car next to the snack bar. Buzz me if you want something to eat. It's on me.

Just adding a different perspective on Saad. I feel he has the pedigree and track record to play top 6 and deserves to be there. Although he could stand to ratchet it up a notch or two, the 2nd game vs the Blues was much better. Played good defense and had a few scoring chances.

Saad assisted on the OT goal (I know, secondary assist off a blocked shot but still an assist) and was the main reason Schmaltz and Kane broke out for the Hawks 2nd goal. Saad didn't get an assist but that goal wouldn't have happened if it weren't for him creating a turnover.
- AEL_Fox

To you and between the dots, yes Saad does do things well. I like his defensive game. I know he does stuff off the scoresheet. I want him on the scoresheet. He makes 6schmil to do so. He looks off. Better towards the end of the 2nd into the third. But if his intangible is net front presence, pardon me, but any meatbag will do that. I like that he does it, but the poor guy needs some goals

There's actually a lot less doom and gloom then you think. I'm not. Zhawk has a bet with Enzo on definitely making the playoffs. Breadbag seems like a positive fellow as well.
- I Am The Breadman

yes...you maybe right...but go back and look at the preseason threads and the thread during the 1st period of the sen game....not good.

where is ArRob...things get eyorish in a hurry when he shows up...

To you and between the dots, yes Saad does do things well. I like his defensive game. I know he does stuff off the scoresheet. I want him on the scoresheet. He makes 6schmil to do so. He looks off. Better towards the end of the 2nd into the third. But if his intangible is net front presence, pardon me, but any meatbag will do that. I like that he does it, but the poor guy needs some goals
- I Am The Breadman

No offense but not many will, or even do it well. He'll get his goals not all of them will go in for Kane and Schmaltz

Now if we could get 30 year old Seabrook to realize he's 30ish and to keep the defender between him and the goalie.

No offense but not many will, or even do it well. He'll get his goals not all of them will go in for Kane and Schmaltz
- BetweenTheDots

We're not the team with that. Toews used to, but is managing this year. He fights, I'll give him that. AA does it, people want him gone for other reasons, Hayden does it, people think him and Martinsen are clones of each other. Q doesn't seem to coach that into people. Our d does a good job of doing it to our own goalie haha.

https://thehockeynews.com...s-to-watch-in-ncaa-hockey

The Hockey News top 75 players to watch in the NCAA. Mitchell is #12. That's it: no Krys, Wise, or Barratt. Didn't expect the other Hawks college prospects to make the list.

To you and between the dots, yes Saad does do things well. I like his defensive game. I know he does stuff off the scoresheet. I want him on the scoresheet. He makes 6schmil to do so. He looks off. Better towards the end of the 2nd into the third. But if his intangible is net front presence, pardon me, but any meatbag will do that. I like that he does it, but the poor guy needs some goals
- I Am The Breadman

I agree he needs to get some goals but I think you’re assertion of him sneaking into the top 6 after one bad season is way off. I think he’ll cement himself on that line and the goals will come...especially with Toews starting out the way he has won’t allow teams to be mindful of only the one line.

I agree he needs to get some goals but I think you’re assertion of him sneaking into the top 6 after one bad season is way off. I think he’ll cement himself on that line and the goals will come...especially with Toews starting out the way he has won’t allow teams to be mindful of only the one line.
- HawkintheD

That's fine, part of my problem is a poor preseason not in the top 6 didn't do him any favors. I'm skewed from preseason. I want to be wrong.

I don't think I'm way off, stars get demotions or something all the time all around the league. Good coaches do it. Seabs was scratched. Brown lost his C. Players bounce around lines all the time due to good or poor performance. I don't think Saad is showing top 6 offensive skill at the moment. He's showing top 6 defensive skill. Hopefully the former shows itself.

We're not the team with that. Toews used to, but is managing this year. He fights, I'll give him that. AA does it, people want him gone for other reasons, Hayden does it, people think him and Martinsen are clones of each other. Q doesn't seem to coach that into people. Our d does a good job of doing it to our own goalie haha.
- I Am The Breadman

So you have 4 people doing, but wait Toews doesn't really do it he stands off to the side a lot, AA does do it probably the best on the team at it, Hayden just learning how and Marty well 4th line player so....

So you have 4 people doing, but wait Toews doesn't really do it he stands off to the side a lot, AA does do it probably the best on the team at it, Hayden just learning how and Marty well 4th line player so....
- BetweenTheDots

I meant to say Toews used to do it a lot, but I still think he drives to the net. He doesn't screen, but he is creating opportunities for himself.

yes...you maybe right...but go back and look at the preseason threads and the thread during the 1st period of the sen game....not good.

where is ArRob...things get eyorish in a hurry when he shows up...

- bogiedoc

Toews looks like a different player no question out of the gate. Does it continue. Thought we were going to see the same old thing last night when the Blues jumped out early.

Shorthanded in the first beauty of a pass by Kane and Gus stickhandled it to the point he had no shot.

Should be another interesting test tonight with the Leafs in town.

Now if we could get 30 year old Seabrook to realize he's 30ish and to keep the defender between him and the goalie.
- BetweenTheDots

The hit by Maroon last night on Seabs is another reason I wanted him on the Hawks. some verteran jam...but I think Maroon took less to play in his hometown of St. Louis this season.

The hit by Maroon last night on Seabs is another reason I wanted him on the Hawks. some verteran jam...but I think Maroon took less to play in his hometown of St. Louis this season.
- DK002

Yep to be closer to his kid

To all, who will score the most goals and how many?

I like Toews, but I'll put Kane at the top with 34.

sound the alarms in blowsville...

https://www.stltoday.com/...39-82eb-fc93dc0f48f2.html

"Yeo even tiptoed right up to the edge of calling his own players soft. How else would you describe his scathing description of a lack of interest in blocking shots and corralling loose pucks. Who was he talking about, specifically? It might be a better exercise to eliminate the players he was not talking about."

“It’s brutal,” Yeo said at one point. “This is not winning hockey we are playing right now. We can try to analyze and figure out whatever the reasons are. Maybe we just think we are good.”